TENANTS HARBOR — John C. VanSorosin, 77, passed away Dec. 6, 2013, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport. Born June 4, 1936, at Parsons Hospital in Flushing, N.Y., he was the son of John and Mary (Spence) VanSorosin. John grew up in Oyster Bay, N.Y., and attended and graduated from Providence College in Rhode Island, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Letters. He later continued his education at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.

John was an accomplished sailor, having often crewed for a Herreschoff Porty out of Sewanhaca Yacht Club, Center Island, N.Y. He also navigated his own vessel on the inland waterway from New York to Florida.

Music was part of John's soul, a trait he inherited from his father, John. Piano lessons graduated into French horn and then later trumpet lessons. In the meantime, the accordion took up much of his time as did the zither, celtic harp, singing with Tony Antolini's Down East Singers and enjoying the Sacred Harp gatherings he attended. He loved in particular the music of Ireland's blind harpist, Turlough O'Carolan – 15th Century composer and singer, whose great fame was due to his gift for melodic composition. John rendered the O'Carolan tunes with depth and true beauty.

John was totally influential in encouraging his sister, Jeanne Hunter in Southold, N.Y., in becoming a choir director at her local Catholic church and later her studies in Gregorian Chant.

John was a member of the Cambridge Morris Men under the tutelage of Roger Cartwright. This included a tour of England for the group.

John loved the local history of his home and at one time resided in the old Sarah Orne Jewitt Schoolhouse in Port Clyde.

John held dear to his heart his many, many "old friends" and yes, his new ones also. It is quite a lengthy list. His family thanks you sincerely. Thank-you, Pastor Maxwell - Steve and Diane of the Port Clyde Baptist Church. John's Sunday mornings were most assuredly brightened by you and the good people of your entire congregation. John always spoke with great admiration for one and all.

John was predeceased by his uncles, Charles and James; and his "Aunt" Katherine Sheehan. John leaves a sister, Jeanne and her husband, Paul Hunter, and their four children (who will miss their "Uncle Lah" very much), Daniel and his wife, Elena, of Hurdle Mills, N.C., Claire and her husband, Tom Kennedy, of Southold, N.Y., Fra Gregory Mary, Franciscan of the Immaculate, of Griswold, Conn., and Mary Jane and her husband, Robert Pereida, of Los Angelos, Calif. Grand nephews Ian, Aidan and Alex remember with great love their "Uncle Lah" too. A grand niece, Arbor Pereida, resides in Los Angeles.

Friends and family are invited to visit Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A Requiem Mass will be held Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 10 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 150 Broadway in Rockland. The Rev. Dominic will officiate.