SOUTH PORTLAND -  John E. Backman, Sr., 81, of South Portland, passed away on August 15, 2021, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

He was born on June 11, 1940, in Waterbury, CT, the son of Walter and Frances Backman.

After attending Boston College, he enlisted in the Army and served his country honorably for six years.

John married Elizabeth (Betty) Close.

He was the founder of I & R Associates, and the Chowder Marching Society, South Portland.

John enjoyed the ocean and was an avid collector of sand dollars.  He was also a history and Civil War buff, and a world-class Jeopardy player.  In his later years, he referred to himself as a "professional retiree".  Most of all, John had a great love for his family, especially his 19 grandchildren, and his loving wife of 57 years, Betty.

John is survived by his sisters, Joan (Richard) Ayrn of Brandford, CT, Jane (Tom) Fox of Niantic, CT; his wife, Betty; his children and their spouses, James (Lisa) of Raymond, Robert (Joanne) of Leesburg, VA, Karen (Paul) Halvorsen of South Portland, Christopher (Ann) of Lamoine, John of South Portland, Bill (Karen) of Westbrook, Matthew (partner, Aimee Favereau), and Michael (Marcia) of Cape Elizabeth; grandchildren, Walter and Oliver of Raymond, Natasha, Nate and Nico of Leesburg, VA, Lauren, Kyle and Jason of South Portland, Jack of Lamoine, Kaya, Bram and Barrett of South Portland, Grace, Ellie and Liam of Westbrook, Indi and Riser of Topsham, Max and Lucy of Cape Elizabeth.

Visiting hours will be 4-7 p.m., Thursday, August 26, 2021, at Hobbs Funeral Home , 230 Cottage Road, South Portland.  A funeral mass will be celebrated 10 a.m., Friday, August 27, at Holy Cross Church, South Portland, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.