John F. Ayer Jr.

John F. Ayer, Jr.

John F. Ayer, 82, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2015 in Fort Pierce, Florida after a long illness.

John is survived by his wife Marilyn of Ft. Pierce, Florida, children William Ayer and wife Sissy of Detroit, Maine, Charlene Brown and husband Brian of Absecon, New Jersey, John Ayer and wife Lynn of Plymouth, Maine, Colleen Crawford and husband Jeff of Detroit, Maine, Ben Ayer and wife Sara of Newport, Maine, and Fred Ayer and wife Chris of Newport, Maine. He also had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Eric Neal and wife Courtney with Ethan, Gavin, Carson and Kellen, Seth Brown and wife Mariko, with Wade Mayako and Sachiko, Nicki Riley and husband Jim, Darrell Crawford and wife Erika with Cole, Nathan and Kyle Ayer, and Bailey and Emily Ayer. John was predeceased by his mother Willietta Morse and father John Ayer also three sisters Patricia Lawerenson, Colleen Compton and Elizabeth Pono.
John graduated from Farmington High School in Farmington, Maine where he played basketball and worked on the family farm. It was in Farmington that he met his wife Marilyn and they married in 1954. John and Marilyn were married for 60 years raising 6 children. He often said the things in life he cherished the most and his greatest accomplishment was his family. He lived in many towns throughout Maine but always called Newport, Maine home till moving to Fort Pierce, Florida where he resided for the last 21 years. John was a true jack of all trades from construction and road crew worker, to policeman and daily caregiver for his children. He was a true friend, many labeled him as “honest” and a hard worker two things he was proud of.
John was a life time member of Fraternal Order of Elks first the Bangor Maine Lodge and then Ft. Pierce, Florida Lodge. He was also active in the Tall Pines Community as Chairperson of Bingo for many years and helping on the Pioneer Club with special activities and events. He will be greatly missed for his humor and wit.

The family wished to thank the staff of Abbiejean Russell Care Center where John had been a resident for a short time. You all made him feel very special; you not only took care of him you helped to take care of us too. Thank you to Treasure Coast Hospice for making the final days much easier.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 9:30 AM at Tall Pines Club House and final internment will be in Newport, Maine at a later date.