CAMDEN — John Brigan Crysler, Jr., 71, passed away early Monday morning February 24, 2020 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction while on vacation in western Colorado. He fought hard for his life after suffering from complications of an aortic dissection one month prior.

John was born in March 18, 1948 in Winchester, Massachusetts to Jack and Peggy Crysler. He graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Toledo in the spring of 1971, shortly after meeting his wife, Susan, while on a blind date New Year’s Eve. They were married on January 29, 1972 and had just celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary.

John was an engineer for Honeywell Inc. for over 40 years and moved to Maine shortly after being hired. They lived for a short time in Presque Isle before moving to Camden in 1977, where he continued to work until his retirement in 2012. He loved Maine, especially his home and riverfront property in Camden, and never wanted to live anywhere else. He loved the New England Patriots, the Red Sox, Chinese meals on Fridays, boating, cars and golf.

He was an active member of Goose River Golf Club for over 30 years where he enjoyed playing in the Tuesday evening twilight league and Sunday morning events. He also loved playing the Mt Washington Resort Golf Club in New Hampshire and The Redlands Mesa Golf Course in Colorado.

For over 40 years he sailed his Cape Dory Typhoon, Ariste on Penobscot Bay, until he bought his beloved red LUND motorboat in the summer of 2016. He enjoyed boating on many different lakes all over the state of Maine and each summer he looked forward to launching it in Tenants Harbor so he could take his niece, his brothers and his sister out on the ocean.

His favorite car was the ‘56 Thunderbird but he purchased and loved his 1991 Red T’bird. 

John and Susan spent the last 5 years traveling all over the United States visiting friends and family. These trips included Red Sox Spring Training in Florida, spending holidays in Pennsylvania and Western Colorado, traveling the Pacific Coast Highway, Bainbridge Island, New Mexico, Arizona Georgia, Kentucky and North Carolina. The highlight of their travels was a trip to Italy and Germany in 2017.

John is survived by his wife, Susan S. Crysler; his daughters Amanda (Lee) and Amelia (Robert); granddaughters ~ sweet quiet, always thinking 3 years old Ainslee Amelia, the adorably dramatic 17 month old Harley Margaret, and his wonderful step grandchildren Lexi and Oz. 

He is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth (Will); his brothers Ken, Barry (Jeanne) and Carl (Li); his sister in law. Drusie; 5 nieces and nephews ~ Sashah, Gillian, Sean, Nathan and Bradley, and 19 cousins.

The Celebration of John’s Life is tentatively planned for the end of June at Goose River Golf Club in Rockport, Maine.

John was very proud of Amanda’s many accomplishments in Rotary so, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation in John’s name be made to The Montrose Black Canyon Rotary Club, P.O. Box 563, Montrose, Co. 81402