John Malcolm Schetky, 66, died Sept. 29, 2016, at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was the son of Malcolm and Lois Schetky of Hallam, Pa.

John was born May 29, 1950, in Fort Ord, Calif. He was the son of a naval officer. As a child John resided in Monterey and Long Beach, Calif.; West Lafayette, Ind.; Norfolk, Va.; and York and Hallam, Pa. He graduated from St. Stephen's School, an English-language high school in Rome, Italy. He then received his Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Bucknell University. He was a member of the Sports Car Club of America and spent many afternoons and weekends working on various sports cars. He traveled extensively throughout Europe and in the British Isles, Norway and Russia. He spoke French, Italian and Russian fluently, and had recently been studying Finnish with the Finnish Congregational Church in South Thomaston.

John moved to Maine nearly 25 years ago to build things; first boats, then houses, and always a peaceful and just world. Dogs and children were drawn to his sweet nature, making him a popular pet and house sitter, leaving behind devoted fans of both the human and animal sort wherever he went. A strong sense of curiosity and wonder informed his interests in fencing, reading, wines, tai chi, crossword puzzles and cars.

Never married, John built a strong and diverse network of friends that included potters and pizza-makers, educators and lawyers, builders and bakers, and the many Mainers working for a more just society.

John was diagnosed with leukemia last winter and bore his treatment with equanimity and courage. His doctors and nurses loved his hospital room full of music, books, friends and hot tea, and never television. He died of complications from his treatment after a bone marrow transplant.

A remembrance party will be held on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the home of Joe Godfrey at 118 Dublin Road in South Thomaston. Call Susy Ellis at 596-6569 with any questions.