WASHINGTON — John Milton Christie, 79, died unexpectedly on May 7, 2016, of natural causes while working at Camden Hills State Park.

Born Feb. 14, 1937, in Presque Isle, he was the son of the late Milton and Jocelyn (Johnson) Christie. The younger of two siblings, John graduated from Camden High School in 1955. A member of the Class of 1959 at Bowdoin College, where he received his bachelor's degree in English, John continued to study at the International Graduate School at the University of Stockholm.

In 1961, John started a long career in New England's ski industry at Sugarloaf, where he was a member of the ski patrol, and in 1965, he was named general manager of the resort. In 1968 he moved to Vermont to take over as vice president and general manager of Mount Snow Development Corporation. John returned to Maine in 1972 and purchased Saddleback, which he owned until 1976. In 2002, Christie joined the board of directors of the newly formed Ski Museum of Maine and served as the museum's president in 2005. He played a key role in forming the Maine Ski Hall of Fame, and was elected to the Hall in 2007.

After leaving the ski business, John worked for Jack Havey at his Augusta advertising agency, Ad-Media, then 1984 opened his own marketing consulting business, Christie Associates. In 1991, John went to Bangor Savings Bank, where he worked as the director of marketing. From 1996 through 2001, he served as president of the Maine Business Monthly Group newspapers. John was employed as a career counselor in Rockland and then in Augusta, until his retirement in 2011. John continued to work during summer months at the entrance booth of Camden Hills State Park until the time of his death.

In addition to writing for the Maine Sunday Telegram and Maine Seniors magazine, he was the author of three books; the award-winning Story of Sugarloaf in 2008, the Maine Outdoor Adventure Guide in 2015, and the forthcoming Skiing Maine, all published by Down East Books.

John was married to Margaret Whipple Christie on May 30, 1982; they were married for 33 years.

He is survived by his wife Margaret Christie; his sons, Jason Christie, and Joshua and his wife, Katrina Christie; his sons from his first marriage, Flint Christie and James Bradford Christie; two granddaughters; his brothers-in-law, Bill Whipple and Dick Pratt and their families; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his brother, Mick.

Details of memorial services will be announced.