John D. McIhinney, 82

John McIhinney

WINDHAM — John (Jack) Donald McIlhinney, 82, of Windham died suddenly of natural causes Friday, May 12 at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

John was born in Flushing, N.Y., on May 20, 1935, the son of John McIlhinney of Port Glasgow, Scotland, and Jean (Stewart) McIlhinney of Greenock, Scotland. He was a 1954 graduate of McBurney School in Manhattan, N.Y., and attended Hofstra University for two years. He met his wife, Diane (Gould) McIlhinney while skiing at Mt. Snow in Vermont. The gentleman that he was, he offered Diane his sweater after she melted, then later split the seam of her ski pants on the slopes. They married on Oct. 15, 1960, at Westside Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, N.J. The couple moved to Maine in 1969 and the two of them were happily married for nearly 58 years.

John enlisted in the Navy Reserve and served for two years. He later enlisted in the Coast Guard as a Machinist Mate and retired as a Machinery Technician Chief Petty Officer 24 years later. He had a love for sailing and his Coast Guard family, and was proud of his many years of service.

After retiring from the Coast Guard, John worked at Bath Iron Works as an Operating Engineer and retired after 10 years of service with the nickname, “Older than Dirt,” which he embraced. He loved sea trials and all the people he worked with.

John was raised a Master Mason at Major General Henry Knox Lodge in Boston, Mass., and was a Legionnaire at Field Allen Post 148. He was a member of the Sebago Lake Congregational Church in Standish, where he presided as moderator, trustee and deacon. Among his many interests were hunting, skiing, visits with family at Lake St. Catherine in Vermont, and his love for pets. He enjoyed people, had a kind heart and loved to share his mischievous wit and shenanigans.

Surviving relatives include his beloved wife, Diane, of Windham; three loving children, John Scott McIlhinney of Casco, Kristen Izzi of Franklin, Tenn., and Susan M. Crane of Auburn; seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; and his sister, Jean S. Britt of Fairhaven, Vt.

He was predeceased by his sister, Rebecca E. Oberkirch of Hubberton, Vt., and both his parents.

Visiting hours will be from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at North Deering Congregational Church, 1364 Washington Avenue, Portland. Burial will follow the service at Mayberry Cemetery on Park Road in Windham.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Animal Refuge League, P.O. Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098.

Arrangements are in the care of the Windham Chapel of Dolby Blais & Segee, 434 River Road, Windham.