Former PDS headmaster
SCARBOROUGH, Maine — Douglas Olcott McClure Sr., an educator and headmaster of private schools, died Aug. 20 at home.
After serving as headmaster of Rockland Country Day School, he went on to oversee the merger of Miss Fine’s School and Princeton Country Day School in Princeton. Headmaster of the resulting Princeton Day School in 1966, he remained at PDS until 1982. He went on to become the headmaster of Sewickley Academy in Sewickley, Pa., and then the business manager of the Blake School in Minneapolis until his retirement.
PDS Head of School Paul Stellato said in a statement, “While I did not have the opportunity to meet Doug, those with whom I have spoken in recent days point with admiration and respect to the leadership he provided our school in the early days on the Great Road, and in particular to his central role in setting the high academic standards that remain the hallmark of our school today.”
Mr. McClure was a graduate of Hotchkiss School and received degrees from Yale University and the University of Connecticut.
As a Navy lieutenant commanding an LST during the Korean War, he guided the beach landings of Marines.
He attended submarine school and after completing his service on the USS Piper, he began his teaching career at the Pomfret School.
His interests including swimming playing chess, telling stories, education, history and sailing. He was a retired commodore of the Rome Yacht Club.
He participated as an officer of many organizations and served as a member of various boards.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; daughters Kathy and Annie; sons Douglas and Peter; brother Nate; sister Barbara; and eight grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Albans Church, Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Maine Community Foundation Rome Scholarship Fund, 245 Main St., Ellsworth, ME 04605 or The Belgrade Lakes Association P.O. Box 551 Belgrade Lakes, ME 04918.
Arrangements are by Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland, Maine.