John Bordman, 94, died peacefully on February 5, 2025, in the home where he was born. He leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Ardis Stiffler Bordman, and three sons from his first marriage to Margaret Lane Bordman: Alexander and wife Winefred Justine, Peter and wife Kimberly, Charles and wife Ellen Stone; stepdaughter Julia Stiffler Lavely (Eugene); nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. John was predeceased by his eldest son, John (Jack) Bordman.
After attending Fenn and Groton, John graduated from Harvard. In the Army he was a translator in Europe before returning to Concord for his work in agriculture, raising farm animals. John transitioned into general contracting and architectural design, developed a specialty in stone masonry, and constructed tennis courts. John built many stone walls throughout Concord and Middlesex County, designed to last a millennium. He had an uncanny eye for how stones best fit together, and he expertly wielded heavy machinery and pry bars for walls pleasing to the eye.
John loved speaking with friends and strangers alike. He was intensely interested in people’s stories and opinions. He valued and remembered whatever he heard, and people could feel they mattered to him. He was a lifelong student of history, literature, current affairs, and the natural sciences. His eclectic library was a constant resource and of much interest to visitors, and he particularly loved Thomas Mann. John also loved music of nearly every kind and played the piano guided by his natural musical ear, never having received formal instruction.
John was keenly aware of Concord's natural world, as well as the cycles of the seasons. He was an avid amateur weatherman. His weather interest extended to patterns and systems across the United States. He was invaluable to friends and family who sought weather-related guidance for travel or event planning.
John was an avid bird-watcher; he would observe them by canoe on the Concord River with his young children; he also tended his many bird feeders. He maintained productive agriculture on his land and repaired his equipment himself. John was truly a gentleman-scholar and maintained curiosity and awe of the world throughout his long life.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at 11 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm Street, Concord, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to environmental conservation organizations are suggested