John F. Gardner, 72 of East Machias, ME. succumbed to his battle with cancer late Tuesday night, November 15, 2022. John graduated from Washington Academy in 1969 and from the University of Maine at Machias in 1975.
John is survived by his wife Carrie of 54 years, daughters Jenny McGovern and her husband Daniel McGovern, Heather Perry and her husband Peter Perry, son Curtis Gardner and his wife Kim Gardner, sister Clara Clark and her husband Vern Clark, granddaughters Katherine Gosselin and Samantha McGovern, step granddaughters Jillian Latimer and Megan Galligan, great granddaughter Emelin Gosselin and many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. John was a loving father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to everyone.
John loved hunting and fishing and he loved his work with children. He worked as a public school educator for more than 20 years serving most of his career as a teacher, and principal at Elm Street School in East Machias, ME. John was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War, having been awarded a purple heart and a bronze star during his service to his country. He spent his free time hunting and four-wheeling and playing with his dog Patches. John was always there to help relatives and friends with whatever they needed.
A special thank you to the people at Mercy Hospital in Portland, their nurses and their hospice care team for their loving care and support during his final days. Also, the family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude towards Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home for helping to take care of John’s final wishes.
A funeral service will be held at Limington Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Limington, ME. on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. with reception to follow. A celebration of life for his family and friends in Downeast, ME will be held on Sunday, November 27, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lee Pellon Center in Machias ME. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to Either the Wounded Warrior Project or the Purple Heart Foundation in John’s name.