Dr. George Raymond Spann

BELGRADE – Dr. George Raymond Spann of Belgrade, died peacefully at home on March 26, 2025. He was 81 years old.

Born in Minneola, N.Y. on July 17, 1943, George was the third of four children born to George Spann and Eleanor Keeler Spann. George grew up in Grahamsville, N.Y. and attended the Tri-Valley Central School from kindergarten through high school. He played football, basketball, and baseball, and was Valedictorian of his graduating class in 1961.

He attended Swarthmore College, where he met the love of his life, Martha “Marty” Marnet. They married in 1966. Marty worked to support the couple while George completed his MA and Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania.

George worked as a lecturer in modern European and British history at both Rutgers University and the University of Pennsylvania, and as the Director of Development at Delaware County Community College. For 14 years he worked at Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science holding various positions, including Dean of Academic Affairs. In 1989, he began working at Thomas College in Waterville as their fourth president where he remained until his retirement in 2012.

George was credited with transforming Thomas College. During his tenure, the school launched the Guaranteed Job Program, a first of-its-kind in the nation. He oversaw construction and renovation of several new campus buildings. He worked to expand academic offerings to include Arts and Sciences including Elementary Education, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. He was innovative and supportive of advancing the use of technology at Thomas to enhance student learning, residence halls, commuter needs, and information systems.

In 1988-’89 Marty and George adopted two infant children within a 10-month period, Geoffrey and Jennifer. Less than a year later, the family moved to Maine.

His wife predeceased him in 2011, after a 12-year battle with breast cancer.

He leaves behind a loving family of son, Geoffrey, and daughter, Jennifer; as well as sister, Helen Morse; a grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

George was a member of St. Mark’s Church, Rotary, and held positions on various boards and organizations.

A funeral service will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Eustis Parkway, Waterville at 11 a.m. on June 6. A reception at the George and Marty Spann Student Commons at Thomas College will follow the service.

Services are in the care of Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Oakland, ME 04963. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at http://www.wheelerfuneralhome.com

Donations in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Margaret Marnet Scholarship Endowment at Thomas College, in Waterville.