Marvin, longtime leader of Maine teachers group, dies at 72

AUGUSTA – John H. Marvin, longtime executive director of the Maine Teachers Association, died Tuesday at the age of 72.

Under Marvin’s leadership, the teacher group became an organization that bargained collectively for most teachers in Maine, including those at the University of Maine. Marvin organized that group himself. He was consulted by legislators drafting laws relating to public employees in the state. He headed the group from 1966 to 1984.

After that job, he worked as a labor representative on the Maine Board of Arbitration and Conciliation, was a research director and director of special projects for the Maine State Employees Association, and was senior field representative for the Northern New England Council of the Service Employees International Union.

Marvin was active in numerous groups, among them the Maine Retired Teachers Association, the Maine Democratic Party, Citizens Against Hand Gun Violence, and the Augusta Kiwanis Club.

He lobbied in the Maine Legislature and organized campaigns in both Maine and New Hampshire.

He was known for arriving at agreements between parties with differences by using conciliatory methods rather than relying on legal adjudication.

Marvin was born in Montreal. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College in Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Denver and a doctorate in educational administration from Pennsylvania State University.

Before he came to Maine, Marvin worked with the National Education Association in Washington and served for a short while at Pennsylvania State University as an assistant professor. He conducted manpower research.

Marvin is survived a stepmother, his wife, three sons and a daughter.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at Penney Memorial United Baptist Church, Grove Street, Augusta.

At his request, there will be no visiting hours. Condolences can be sent to the family by contacting the funeral home Web site at www.plummerfh.com.