ALFRED — John F. Bshara, Jr., 78, of Alfred, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, at Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford.

He was born on Aug. 3, 1940 to John and Annie (Clough) Bshara, Sr. in Sanford where he grew up and attended local schools.

Throughout John’s working life he was employed at Seamloc Carpets, where he was on the Seamloc Bowling Team. He also worked at Shaw’s Ridge and Cote’s Taxi.  He was employed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for 13 years where he received a special award for collecting many donations for the 1990 Combined Federal Campaign. John embarked on several sales ventures, (especially, Multi Pur Water Filters), until finally owning his own taxi company, J&M Taxi, which was incredibly important and rewarding. John worked long hours seven days a week right up until his passing.

In addition to his taxi company, he also enjoyed many things. In his younger years, he played short stop and pitcher on a softball team, and he enjoyed bowling, playing pool, and also spent some time studying Tae Kwon Do.  He was a baseball fan, and his favorite team was the Red Sox. John liked playing card games and board games as well. He was a former member of the Sanford Elks Lodge.

Being an energetic person, John always needed something to keep him busy.  He also liked to keep up on what was happening around him by listen to his scanners. He had a great sense of humor and constantly told jokes. He loved animals, and would feed birds and squirrels every day.

One important aspect of John regarding his strong work ethic is that earning money was very important to him.  He would often joke that the “M” in J&M Taxi, stood for Money, though it really stands for Mark (his son).

John is predeceased by his parents, and a brother, Robert Bshara, who passed away at the age of 5.

Survivors include, his wife of 57 years, Nancy Bshara, three sons, John F. Bshara III, and his wife Christina, Mark Bshara, David Bshara and his wife Beth, a daughter, Mary Bshara and her significant other Daniel Pushaw, all of Alfred, ten grandchildren, Thomas, Chelsi, Lance, Mark, Kyle, Cameron, Katherine, Trevor, Jimmy, and Shealyn, great grandchildren, Phoebe, Gabriel, and one on the way, a brother, Arthur Bshara and his wife Sylvia, of Alfred, a sister, Barbara Curley and her husband Ralph, of Sanford, also, nieces, nephews, friends, and taxi customers.

A time of visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St., Springvale.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, Sept. 28, at 10 a.m. at Curtis Lake Church, 38 Westview Dr., Sanford with a burial following at Oakdale Cemetery.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Animal Welfare Society, at P.O. Box 43, West Kennebunk, ME  04094.

Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.

To leave a message of condolence visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com.