SOUTH THOMASTON — John Albert Elliot, Sr., 83, left this world on July 8, 2021 at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport after a period of declining health.

He was born in Rockland, Maine on May 16, 1938 to Albert B. and Helen Moulaison Elliot, the middle child of three boys. John grew up on Knox Street in Thomaston and attended local schools, graduating from Thomaston High School, Class of 1956. High school activities included basketball, baseball, and playing the trumpet and piano. He had an idyllic childhood full of love, life and adventure. Summers were spent at the family cottage in Cushing, surrounded by family and friends, where he developed his love of the ocean. Boating, fishing and lobstering were favorite pastimes at the cottage.

John was a hard-working young man, starting out lobstering, delivering the local mail, and shoveling coal at the family business Dunn and Elliot. John eventually became the president and co-owner of Dunn and Elliot. After the business closed, John worked as the manager of the Maine State Prison Showroom. He owned and operated the Corner Gift Shop in Thomaston for over 15 years with his wife, Sally. John was also an EMT for the South Thomaston Ambulance Service and worked at Pen Bay Medical Center.

John loved working with wood and built two houses from the ground up. His love for wood and skilled business sense launched a successful lawn furniture business. His Adirondack chairs were treasured throughout the State of Maine and even shipped across the country. He then turned to splitting and stacking wood, selling it in his front yard, eventually working his way up to 100 cord a season.

John was very involved in his community. He was a South Thomaston selectman and a School Board member. For many years, he was active in the Masons, Shriners, Lions Club and the Elks Lodge. Volunteer activities included the Union Fair, the Knox Center and Meals on Wheels.

John loved being out in the community and interacting with others. He enjoyed meeting new people and hearing their stories. He loved attending any school and community events – sports, concerts, public suppers, auctions, bingo, fairs and festivals. He was a big fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. Other hobbies were gardening, including planting his own apple orchard, and learning Maine History. He was an avid hunter and a member of the Biggest Bucks in Maine Club. John enjoyed country and oldies music, doing puzzles, playing poker, solitaire and cribbage, and going to the movies. Fall was John’s favorite season and he loved the beauty of nature, particularly wildflowers.

John was predeceased by his parents Albert B. and Helen M. Elliot; brother Lt. Cmdr. Arthur J. Elliot (Jack) and young son Paul G. Elliot.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sally Harjula Elliot; his brother George Elliot of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; and his children, Linda J. Elliot of Rockland, Lisa S. Elliot of South Thomaston, Stacey L. Elliot of Wakefield, Massachusetts, John A. Elliot, Jr. of Cushing and Julie E. Atwood and her husband William M. Atwood of Martinsville.

His grandchildren include Justin Elliot, Toni Reska, Sven Laamann, Nicole Hatch, Lindsay Parisi, Al Miller, Natalie Atwood and Philip Atwood.

He is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins, and the extended Harjula family.

A private remembrance will be held at the family cottage in August. To share a memory or condolence with the Elliot family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.