PORT CLYDE — John Olaf Lantz Jr., 80, died peacefully July 16, 2015, with his family at his side, following a long illness, at Knox Center for Long Term Care in Rockland.

Born in Rockland on July 1, 1935, he was the youngest child and only son of John Sr. and Saimi Kaartinen Lantz. Growing up in St. George, he was educated locally, and was a 1953 graduate of St. George High School.

Following high school, John moved to Wisconsin, where he became a stone cutter in the quarrying industry. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served honorably until 1960.

Returning to Maine, John met Pauline Keizer. The two were married March 18, 1972, in Warren. Together they have made their home in Port Clyde for more than 43 years.

For many years John worked at the shrimp plant in Port Clyde until that plant's closing. He later went on to work for Port Clyde Foods, working his way up to foreman. He was employed there for more than 30 years.

Following his retirement, John stayed busy working and mowing lawns for Cindy Lang. He cared for many local properties until his illness made it hard for him to continue.

Throughout his life, John was an avid sports fan. From bowling on local leagues, to playing baseball at Leppinen Field, and taking trips to Portland to watch the Sea Dogs with his friend, Jake, John loved a good game. It has been said that John was the only person to ever hit a home run into the clam flats on the local field. He was a diehard Red Sox fan and also loved watching football. During his more leisurely moments, he could be seen enjoying a walk around town.

Family was John's number one priority in life. As his mother was aging, he made it a point to stop and check on her and help her out around the house, each night on his way home from work. More recently he took great joy in spending time with his grandchildren. They were the love of his life.

He loved to stay current on news, especially the weather, and he read the paper daily. His family has fond memories of him watching the evening weather report every night. His passing leaves a big hole in the hearts of all who loved him.

John's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful staff at the Knox Center who took them in as family and treated everyone, especially John, with exceptional tender loving care during his last days.

Predeceased by his parents; John is survived by his wife, Pauline “Polly” Lantz of Port Clyde; his sons, Jeff York, Brian York and his companion, Jeanne Andreasen, and her son, Jack Fifield, all of Port Clyde; his daughters, Kim Moore and her husband, Brian, of Durham, Pamela Uhing and her husband, Jeff, of Iron Ridge, Wis., and Lori Lynn Brewer and her husband, Chuck, of Arizona; his sisters, Dorothy Phillips of St. George, Gertrude Smith of Hollis Center and Ruth Achille of Merritt Island, Fla.; his grandchildren, Linda Kresnak, Josh Kresnak, Desirea York and her boyfriend, Kurt Olesch, Keith York, Hannah Moore and Zachary Moore; as well as his special mother-in-law, Beatrice Keizer of Thomaston.

Family and friends are invited to visit Wednesday, July 22 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, where a service will follow at 2 p.m.

Those who wish may make memorial donations to either the St. George Fire and Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 249, Tenants Harbor, ME 04860, or the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018.