John Battis

John Battis, 73, of Springvale, ME and formerly of Newburyport, MA, passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at the H.D. Goodall Hospital in Sanford, ME. John was born in Newburyport on October 29, 1937, a son of the late Stasos and Anna (Zoumberi) Battis.A graduate of Newburyport High School, he also graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music. With a strong passion for music and teaching, he was a band director in the Merrimac Valley and North Shore schools for many years.He also served as city councilor in Newburyport and was instrumental in the revamping of an old park that was later renamed after him, The Battis Park on Washington, Street. He was also a member of the Massachusetts Musicians Union Local 300. Every Christmas he baked cookies for all of his neighbors in Massachusetts and Maine. In 1998 along with his wife they moved to Springvale to reside with their daughter.John is predeceased by his brother, Socrates Battis.Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Therese (Lajoie) Battis of Springvale, children, Sherry Lee Smith and her husband, Ed of Springvale, Shelly Ann Cusick and her husband, Tim of Haverhill, MA, grandchildren, Holly Smith of Springvale, Theodore Smith of Springvale, Marissa Cusick of Haverhill, MA, a brother, Constantine Battis of Lebanon, ME and a sister, Despina Pazar of Gorham, ME, and several nieces and nephews.At John's request services will be private. Burial will be at the Highland Cemetery in Newburyport.Arrangements are under the direction of the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street, Sanford, Maine.Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com