WARREN — John ‘Sonny’ Baxter, Jr., 84, passed peacefully surrounded by the love of his family, Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at the Sussman Hospice House in Rockport.

Born in Eastport, March 31, 1936, he was the son of John, Sr. and Marion Sawyer Baxter.

On April 21, 1962, John married Gail Haviland in Medford, Massachusetts. Together they lived in various lighthouses and raised their family. John and Gail eventually settled in Warren.

John enjoyed a lengthy military career  including in the Army and Coast Guard. He retired from the Coast Guard in June 1979. He later went on to work at Pen Bay Medical Center in the Physical Plant where he worked until 2005. Always active in his community, John was a member of the Free Masons and the Shrine, as well as serving as director of the Warren Ambulance.

Predeceased by his brother Lawrence “Brud” Baxter; John is survived by his wife, Gail; his brothers Richard “Bucky” Baxter and his wife Marie, David Baxter; his daughters, Lori Gaunder and her husband Robb of Florida,
Kim Wesley and her husband Isaac of Oklahoma; and his sons, John Baxter and his partner Jennifer of Maine, and Stephen Baxter and his wife Debra of South Carolina.

John’s family will remember his life privately in the spring of 2021.

In lieu of flowers, his family asks you consider donations in John’s name to the Maine Lighthouse Museum, One Park Drive, Rockland, ME 04841.

To share a memory or condolence with the Baxter 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.