WARREN — John Wood Black, 90, of Warren, passed away early morning of July 31, 2026, in his loving home with family by his side. John was born January 12, 1936, to Ernest and Lenora Black of Waldoboro. John grew up in Waldoboro and graduated from Waldoboro High School in 1954. He graduated from University of Maine in 1959.

On December 27, 1959, John married Norma E. Davis of Friendship. They lived in Waldoboro for a few years, and then moved to Friendship in 1963, where they raised their family. John moved back to Waldoboro in 2008. John worked for the Department of Transportation as an engineer for seventeen years. In 1977 John and Norma purchased the Friendship Market, which they owned and operated for nineteen years. Throughout the years after selling the market, John often said, that he enjoyed owning the store as it allowed him to meet and know the people of Friendship.

As many may recall, John has always been willing to help others in anyway that he can. John started his Friendship Surveying, Inc. business in 1991 which later became J and D Engineering and Surveying Inc. John also worked as a Code Enforcement Officer for the town of Waldoboro. John has served as the Town Moderator in Friendship since March 1970, except for March 1977. He also moderated in surrounding towns.

He has been on the Friendship Water Committee, the Hahn Community Center Committee, the Budget Committee and the Building Committee, all of which he resigned from in November 2008. John has also been on the Harbor Cemetery Committee. He served on the Trustees of the Friendship United Methodist Church. He was on the MSAD 40 School Board for many years, and also the Little League Committee. He was also a United Methodist Youth Group Leader in the mid-1980s. He was a member of the Friendship United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Meduncook Masonic Lodge since 1960, to which he transferred from King Solomon’s Lodge in Waldoboro. He was a past member of the Shriners and Eastern Star.

John was predeceased by his parents; wife, Norma in 2006; siblings and their spouses, Marguerite and Harold David, Edwin and Edna Black, Esther and Elmer Poland, Ernestine and John Connelly. John is also predeceased by his partner, Sandra Gammon’s daughter-in-law Cindy Gammon.

John is survived by his three children: Blake and his wife Belle Black of Waldoboro; Donald and his wife Tammy of Union; Laurie Smith and her husband Steven of Waldoboro.

Ten grandchildren: Craig and Jordan Black of New Market, Tennesee; Crystal Adams of Waldoboro; Colby Black of Augusta; Jessica and Bradleigh Ronning of Temecula, California; Rachelle and Jeff Phair of Augusta; Justin Smith of West Gardiner; Sandra and Barrett Lynde of Waldoboro; Crystal and Shawn O’Brien of Rockport; Anthony Bosworth of Thomaston; Kyle Smith of Waldoboro. John also has 18 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

John is also survived by his partner, Sandra Gammon, of Warren, and her extended family, John thought of as family.

Sandra’s children are Irvin and Brenda Gammon of Warren; Martin Gammon of Warren; Lee and Heather Gammon of Sierra Vista, Arizona; Vicky and Jeffrey Miller of Union. Sandra also has seven grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

John and Sandy have enjoyed the last ten and a half years together. They enjoyed going on trips, going out for drives and going out to eat. They really enjoyed their weekly Thursday morning breakfast at Moody’s Diner with their group of friends. At times, the group got up to twenty people. The family would like to thank Maine Health Hospice for making it possible for them to take care of John in his home with Sandy.

A graveside service to celebrate John’s life will be held August 10, at 11 a.m., at the Harbor Cemetery in Friendship.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in John’s name to MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice, 15 Industrial Park Road, Saco, ME 04072.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, 949 Main Street, Waldoboro. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.hallfuneralhomes.com