WALDOBORO — John "Outback Jack" Kenefick passed away peacefully on Aug. 9, 2016, at home, surrounded by his family, after a brief illness. He married Lois Eley in 1960, and together they had four children, Joe Kenefick, Cheryl Woods, Joanna Kenefick and Paul Kenefick, all of Waldoboro.

He was predeceased by Lois in 1984; and three brothers, James Kenefick of Texas, Richard Kenefick of New Hampshire and Ralph Kenefick.

Jack proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1955 to 1959. He was trained as a mortar man in the infantry. He was stationed at Parris Island, N.C., Camp Lejeune, N.C., Quantico, Va., and Kanoi Bay, Hawaii. He received a Good Conduct Medal in 1959. He enjoyed the Boston Bruins, NASCAR, the Patriots and boxing. In his early life he was an ordained minister and youth pastor in Massachusetts.

He enjoyed riding motorcycles and built choppers before they were cool. He repaired thousands of cars over the years in Massachusetts and Maine. He opened his first auto body repair shop in Maynard. He moved his family to Maine in 1974. They settled in 1976 in Waldoboro, where he opened J & L Auto Body. He owned and operated the body shop with his son, Joe, until 1990. They restored vintage cars, Jack did customized paint jobs and on more than one occasion he cut two wrecked cars in half and welded them back together to make one whole undamaged car. He had many repeat customers.

Jack and Lois fostered children in their home for a time and allowed the children's friends to move in at times.

After Lois died, he met Heidi Waning in 1987 and she became his long-time significant other. He raised her four children, Megan Davis, Brandon Davis, Shekara Davis and Maggie Davis, as if they were his own. In 1989 Jack and Heidi had a son, Seth Dorr.

He instilled a quick wit and incredible sense of humor in all his children. As well as a “do unto others as you would have done unto you” attitude.

He is survived by his nine children, Joe Kenefick, Cheryl Woods, Joanna Kenefick, Paul Kenefick, Megan Davis of New Jersey, Brandon Davis, Shekara Davis of Waldoboro, Maggie Davis of Washington and Seth Dorr; his long-time significant other, Heidi Waning; nine grandchildren, Mason Mank, Skye Woods, Free Woods, Aaron Kenefick, Eric Kenefick, D. J. Sturdee, Kabryn Sturdee, Dylan Favreau and Mariah Cooley; two great-grandchildren, Hunter and Kiley Sturdee; his sister, Marie Coleman of Massachusetts;  and his brother, Gary Lopez of Tennessee.

A great man is one who leaves others at a loss after he is gone! — Paul Valery

A celebration of Jack's life will take place Saturday, Aug. 20, at his home in Waldoboro. The family asks that you bring your memories and stories to share.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Disabled American Veterans charity.