John Davenport Maine Jr., 54, former Janney executive

John Davenport Maine Jr., 54, of Wyndmoor, a former executive vice president at Janney Montgomery Scott, died of acute myeloid leukemia Tuesday, Feb. 23, at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Known as "Jordie," Mr. Maine was a larger-than-life figure, especially in and around his native Chestnut Hill. He had battled leukemia for six months with such vigor that his friends were surprised when he died.

He was known as a wonderful husband, friend, father, fisherman, business colleague, and lover of life.

"His presence was large, his heart was larger, and his zeal for life was contagious," said his family. "Though his time was cut short, Jordie truly lived every day to the fullest, and anyone who has been lucky enough to cross his path is better for it."

Mr. Maine joined Janney, a stock brokerage-investment bank in Philadelphia, as senior vice president and director of equity capital markets in April 2008.

Six months later, he became executive vice president and head of capital markets, with a mandate to focus on the business of selling and financing client companies and taking them public, the Inquirer reported last May.

However, Janney, owned by Horsham-based Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co., had trouble landing lucrative deals; even some of the big Wall Street banks were cutting staff needed to make similar deals at that time, the Inquirer reported last June. Mr. Maine left the firm last summer, his family said. While in semiretirement, he was diagnosed with leukemia.

Timothy C. Scheve, Janney's president and CEO, said Mr. Maine cared deeply about people.

"He was a natural leader who looked for the best in everyone. He never stopped believing in people and never hesitated to help them realize and achieve their potential. He was a good, fun-loving friend," Scheve said.

"Yet, his most endearing quality was that he was a loving and caring husband to his wife, Debbie, and his three children, and a role model to all of us who try to balance our families and our professional lives."

Before joining Janney, Mr. Maine spent 13 years at Citigroup, where he was managing director and head of regional equity sales. He also had worked as a sales executive at several other Wall Street banks.

As a student at Chestnut Hill Academy, Mr. Maine was a force with which to be reckoned. He was the only one of his schoolmates to letter in five varsity sports and was a critical component of the academy's 1977 undefeated football season.

"Jordie was big, but he could move as well," said his friend Bob Warner.

Mr. Maine's achievements on the playing field, tennis court, and wrestling mat were recognized in 2006 with his induction into the Chestnut Hill Academy Athletic Hall of Fame.

After high school, he starred in football and rugby at Princeton University. A defensive tackle, he was named MVP of the football team.

During his first week at Princeton, he met Debbie Emery. The two married and would have celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this summer.

After graduating from Princeton in 1983, Mr. Maine moved to New York City to launch his career. He returned to Philadelphia in 1988 to raise a family in Wyndmoor.

Mr. Maine played a pivotal role in the community, serving on the boards of the United Way of Greater Philadelphia, Philadelphia Partnership School, Chestnut Hill Academy, and Chestnut Hill Hospital. He also was a two-term president of the Beach Club of Cape May.

He loved spending time with his family, especially at the Shore. "Often out on the boat by sunrise, he would chase the fish and be back in time for an afternoon on the beach with his friends and family, Bud Light in hand," his family said.

Of his many gifts, the greatest was his ability to connect with people. He built strong relationships and made friends feel important, his family said.

He is survived by his parents, John Maine Sr. and Deborah Cutler; daughters Emery Maine Greenwood and Libbie Maine; son Jack Maine; many nieces and nephews; and a sister.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., Philadelphia. Burial is private.

Memorial donations may be made to Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, 500 W. Willow Grove Ave., Philadelphia 19118.

bcook@phillynews.com

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