Obituary of John L. Archambault, MD

John Louis Joseph Archambault, M.D.

BREWER - John Louis Joseph “Doc A” Archambault, MD, 81, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2019, in Bangor, Maine. He was born the 2nd of 4 boys on July 26, 1937, to Paul and Corinne (Thibodeau) Archambault of Madawaska.

John completed his pre-med studies at St. Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and earned his M.D. at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1975, the U.S. Geological Survey named Archambault Ridge, a mountain range in Antarctica, in honor of him. While he served as U.S Navy Medical Officer during Operation Deep Freeze 1967, no military personnel nor researchers died at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, resulting in this tremendous honor which left an unforgettable legacy on his family and friends.

Dr. Archambault practiced medicine until 2001. Following his service in Antarctica, John served at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. In 1969, he returned to Maine where he worked as a general practitioner in Lewiston, ME. From 1971 to 1994, he served in the capacities of Director of Athletic Medicine, Coordinator of Sports Medicine and Team Physician at University of Maine at Orono. He was proud to be part of the 1993 NCAA Division 1 Men’s Hockey Championship and the 1981 and 1986 University of Maine Baseball College World Series teams. John later served as Director of Sports Medicine and Occupational Medicine at Med-Now in Orono and completed his career as a physician at Bucksport Regional Health Center. John also moonlighted, seeing ER patients in Bangor hospitals.  

Medicine was John’s profession; sports was his passion. An athlete himself, John loved boxing, hockey, football, baseball, running and golf. Whether listening to or watching broadcasts, reading the sports pages and biographies, or sitting in the stands cheering his favored teams, John loved the action and the drama. An ardent supporter of youth sports programs, John volunteered time, and encouraged his son and, then, his three grandsons in their athletic pursuits. In 1996, John experienced a nearly life-ending heart attack. While sometimes proof of the adage that doctors don’t make good patients, he – and his family -- were grateful to the myriad doctors and health care professionals who helped him experience 22 more years of life, travel, long golf games, Boston sports dynasties, family milestones, and the growth of his grandsons.

John was predeceased by his parents, brothers Jim and Peter, and two miniature schnauzers. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Gwendolyn; son Timothy, wife Michele and their three sons Joseph, Thomas, and Jonathan of Holden; stepdaughters Rhonda Bacon-St. John and husband John of Dover-Foxcroft, and Maria-Beth Smith of Lagrange; brother Paul and his wife Elaine of Brunswick; sister-in-law Louise Archambault of Goodyear, AZ;  brother-in-law, Otis Thompson and wife, Mavourneen of Peaks Island; brother-in-law, Donald Thompson and wife, Carlene; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Saturday, May 4, 2019 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John’s Catholic Church, York St, Bangor. ^.  Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State St., Brewer. Messages and memories may be shared with his family and other service details are available at kileyandfoley.com. If you are so inclined, you may honor John’s memory by wearing New England sports attire. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to any youth sports program or YMCA/YWCA of your choosing.