PORTLAND — John Charles Cronin, 50, died peacefully Aug. 25, 2014, at his home, following a year-and-a-half of living with cancer. He shared his last few days surrounded by his loving family, including his partner, Tim Mason, and his close friends.

As one family member said, "John was one of the most remarkable, engaging and genuinely fantastic people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing".

Whether someone had a brief connection with him or shared a lifetime friendship, everyone seemed to glow in the pleasure of knowing John and receiving his love and naturally positive energy. While he lived with cancer and worked toward healing, John was a constant inspiration to many. His vibrant and constantly optimistic life force touched and inspired his family, friends and healthcare team.

John had a strong sense of place and a passion for adventure. His life and work reflected both of these. After graduating from Bangor High School and the University of Maine in Orono, he worked at the Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor and the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, N.Y., before becoming an independent travel and event director, which took him to unique places around the world.

His outgoing, effervescent personality and love of people and travel perfectly blended with his work and lifestyle. He also appreciated many special places close to home in Maine that connected him deeply to nature, including Monhegan Island and Maine Audubon. John always found time to combine work, adventure and visits with friends and family at destinations far and wide. Remarkably, John remained close with friends from each of these phases of his life, and made ongoing lifetime connections with a diverse network of people.

John lived intentionally along his journey to healing, seeking to learn from all those he engaged while pursuing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual healing. Recently, he shared with his close friends that he felt "permeated with love." It now seems that everyone who knew John well or even briefly has felt his love in a palpable way. Although our world is a darker place without his bright eyes and smile, his wish for all would be to appreciate each day as a gift.

John was predeceased by his father, Charles J. Cronin of Belfast. He is survived by his partner, Tim Mason and family, of Portland; his mother, Anne Cronin of Belfast; two sisters and their husbands, Deanna and Stan Carson of Sarasota, Fla., and Cate Cronin and Peter Webb of Rockport; two brothers and their wives, Barry and Monica Cronin of Carsonville, Mich., and Kevin and Jamie Cronin of Bangor; two nieces, Caroline Webb of Rockport and Julianne Cronin of San Francisco, Calif.; and three nephews, Dan Carson of Nashua, N.H., Kyle Cronin of Dedham, Mass., and Lee Webb of Brooklyn, N.Y. He was exceptionally close to his many cousins and he was a truly compassionate, loving friend to people from all over the world.

There will be a celebration of life to honor John at Maine Audubon's Gilsland Farm in Falmouth on Sept. 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. with a service at 2 p.m. All are invited to enjoy the wildlife sanctuary, a special place for John and Tim.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to the Maine Medical Center Cancer Institute, 22 Bramhall St., Portland, ME 04102.