Obituary of John Watson Schramm

John Watson Schramm, 69 of Rockland, ME passed away from an extended illness that included a long battle with Lyme Disease, on April 2, 2020. Born in Rockland June 1, 1950 he was the son of Morris E. Schramm of Germantown, PA and Esther Chapman Schramm of Rockland. He spent his first 14 years in the community of Rockville, ME, moving to Rockland as he entered RDHS Class of 1968. On September 11, 1970, he married Sandra Alley of Camden at the Vesper Hill Chapel. They raised their two sons, John K Schramm and Christian M Schramm in Rockland. He started his Master machinist-millwright education with Marine Colloids in late 1968 and he attended both EMTC in Bangor and CMVTI in Lewiston for Marine Colloids. He continued there until a union strike in 1985, returning as an independent contractor until 2000. In 1980 he formed his own company, Mechanical Restorations to begin his lifelong “dream job”. Whether a Bugatti, a Buick or in fact any mechanical item, John could not only relate, he understood. His ability to re-create obsolete parts came from years of apprenticeship under lifelong friends Russell Sevon, Robert Barnes and John Stiglitz. Fascinated by early vehicles and technology, he had a keen eye and above all passion for the old things. “If it was made once, it can be fixed or made again” was his motto. He exhibited a keen sense of how things were connected, how they fit together and how they functioned. He loved not only the machines but the very mechanism and movements they exhibited. This fascination from a young age ignited a career of working on some of the finest vehicles in the world or an old rusty Model T Ford fresh out of a farmer’s barn. His passion was contagious. People who trusted their vehicles to his care understood this. He was not just a mechanic; he was adept in also igniting the interest and passion of others fortunate to have been attracted to his vast orbit of expertise. John loved attending car shows, car flea markets and gas engine shows in the US and abroad. His annual trips to the Carlisle and Hershey, PA shows and Retromobile in Paris were not to be interrupted. He was a member of the AACA, Bugatti Club of America, Ford Model A and Ford V8 Clubs as well as a decades-long volunteer/member of the Owls Head Transportation Museum; a venture enjoyed by the entire family. John and his wife had a special interest in rescuing and adopting Cavalier King Charles Spaniels through their association with Lucky Star Cavalier Rescue. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his son Chris, bother in laws Dennis and Michael Alley, and nephew Duane Alley. John is survived by his wife Sandra, his son John and his wife Lorena, two special granddaughters, Samantha and Sophia Schramm, all of Rockport, ME, his Cavalier, Willow, and cats, Gracie and Poultney, sister in law and brother in law, Karen and Terence Gray and their daughters Stephanie and Robyn, nephew James Munroe and his family, sister in law, Louise Boivin Hendrickson, and nieces Christina Alley Koren, and Jackie Squires Alley, her children Leslie, Tristan and Michael Alley. He will be sadly missed by cousin David Hoch and his wife Isabel. John had many close friends and associates, including lifelong special friends, Stewart Rogers, Douglas Hilt, Sterling Robinson and Charles Chiarchiaro. The family wishes to thank his home caregivers, Ann, Janice, Linda, Meredith and Colleen. Having that time at home was so very special. A memorial service will be held later, once the virus is no longer a threat. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor John may be made to the animal rescue league of your choice, Owls Head Transportation Museum, or the Make A Wish Foundation of Maine.