John Philip Scamman

John Philip Scamman, MD , North Yarmouth, 73, died July 24, 2025 in the quiet of his home.

He was born in Biddeford on May 22, 1952, the son of Philip and Vera Scamman. John spent his first years in Saco before the family moved to Cape Elizabeth. His childhood summers were spent in Raymond at the family camp on Sebago Lake.

John attended Hebron Academy graduating in class of 1970. In 1974 he earned his BA in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University and continued his education at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, earning a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1978.

He completed his medical education at the University of Wisconsin in Madison in the field of Psychology in 1982. He returned to Maine in 1983 to set up private practice in Portland and remained there throughout the entirety of his professional career, retiring in 2020.

John is predeceased by his wife of 17 years, Nancy M Cray, whom he wed in 1985. They began raising two sons, Nicholas and Wyler “Bear” in Scarborough before moving to Falmouth Foreside. John was a devoted husband and father. He enjoyed traveling as a family to many places in the US and Europe. Many memorable summer vacations were spent with family on Fire Island and with friends in Boothby.

John was a very active person and played hockey weekly with a league spanning many years. He began curling after attending a learn to curl event and was hooked at the first throw of the stone. He joined the Pine Tree Curling club and was the skip for his team, “The Spin Doctors”. He was so enthusiastic about curling that he would join a team and attend bonspiels in different New England states. He later took up pickleball, playing at the North Yarmouth Community Center and on outdoor courts in Yarmouth.

He enjoyed a good game of bridge, hearts or chess, introducing the games to his sons and friends. The house was often occupied with them all huddling around the card table for hours. Often, he would arrange a Saturday bridge game with his friends and played both chess and bridge online.

John became interested in model rocketry at a young age. When his sons were young, he helped build rockets with them and enjoyed flying the rockets with their friends. In his 60’s he took it up seriously for himself, building much larger and more detailed rockets. He attained a Level 2 classification with his largest rocket “Orion” that was greater than 13 feet tall. On weekends he would be off with his friends, Jim and Liz, whenever there was an opportunity to fly.

John enjoyed traveling, which began in his teenage years when he went to Europe with his friend Steve. After finishing his medical residency, he took a year to travel solo with a backpack throughout Asia and Europe. In China, he connected with his brother, Charlie, and then his mother and Aunt Helen in France. He continued taking family trips in the US, Europe and a most memorable one with his sons and John Cray “Grampa” in Australia. He joined his sons in Oregon for the total solar eclipse of 2017, extending his trip exploring National Parks in that area with them.

In the past 20 years, he and his partner Nancy Jane travelled to different cities and towns through Europe to explore the many Gothic cathedrals and vineyards. They also explored the Mayan ruins, and hiked in Germany, Switzerland, National Parks in Utah, Canadian Rockies, and the Langtang Region of Nepal.

Interest in exploring the woodland and mountain trails was rekindled and they hiked many trails through the White Mountains, Acadia National Park, and local Maine state parks. Most notably were the many backpacking and camping trips in Baxter State Park that they shared with fellow hiking friends.

He enjoyed his last trip to Yellowstone with his brother and his sister-in-law Petra.

John always carried his camera with him on trips and to family events. He had an interest in capturing interesting features in the architecture of structures, landscapes, and nature.

Of all of John’s interests, his greatest passion was wine. He had extensive knowledge of the regions of France, Germany, and Portugal. Always enthusiastic about sharing his wine, John would bring wine to every opportunity possible. Sharing the experience of tasting a fine aged wine brought him great enjoyment. He eagerly provided information about the wine and the region of its origin, the importance of age and how to properly enjoy it through tasting and paring. His most enjoyable parings were Maine Lobster with French Sauterne and Portuguese Vintage Port with dark chocolate. However, John always remarked that it was about the people that shared the wine and the location where it happened that brought out the best in the wine. Memorable places included summer evening in Boothby, winters at Sugarloaf, springtime in Aspen, dinner tables and picnic tables on islands, campsites and backyards. All with family, old friends and new.

He is survived by his partner; Nancy Jane Clark; sons, Wyler “Bear”, and Nicholas, and his wife, Joanna Perey and his brother Charles and sister-in-law Petra. He is predeceased by his parents and his wife, Nancy Margaret Cray.

Dr. John Scamman will be remembered for his love for family, sharp mind, dry wit, thirst for learning and compassion for those whose lives he touched and helped throughout his life.

A Celebration of Life will be held October 18, 2025, gathering at 10:00am with a memorial presentation starting at 11 a.m. at the Purpoodock Club, Cape Elizabeth, with burial to follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in John’s name to the Salvation Army or a charity of your choice.