SUN CITY CENTER, Fla. – John E. Dickson, Sr. of Sun City Center, Fla. passed away on June 19, 2024 at the age of 82.

John was born in Portsmouth, N.H. to William and Kathryn (Davis) Dickson on Nov. 11, 1941. He graduated from Stevens High School in Rumford, Maine in 1961 and promptly enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed in Korea and honorably served his country for three years.

After his time in the service, John moved to Connecticut where he met his lovebug, Donna Swett. John began working at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft while he was also enrolled at Central Connecticut State College. John and Donna married in 1966 and they settled in Portland, Conn. to raise their sons.

John earned a bachelor’s degree and educator certification, and taught shop at Cromwell Middle School for about ten years. Many of his former students still remember him fondly. John left teaching to start his own business and he was a skilled cabinet maker for many years. With a yearning to return to public service, he took a position with the State of Connecticut as a Corrections Counselor where he remained until his retirement in 2002.

Following his retirement, John became a “snowbird”, splitting his time between Sun City Center, Fla. and his beloved camp on Worthley Pond in Peru, ME. John loved being “upta camp”, and he was happiest when he was sharing it with family and friends.

John was a huge sports fan. He could, and often would, spend all day watching the games. However, his choice of teams was wishy-washy. He most recently rooted for the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys, but his wife and sons remember him supporting better teams in his younger years. This fact made for great family banter. One team he never wavered from supporting was the UConn Huskies.

John was a great man. He loved his wife and was proud of his family. He lived honestly and with integrity. He worked hard. He valued education. He was kind and compassionate, and he had empathy for others, always willing to lend a hand.

He will be profoundly missed by his wife of 57 years; his sons, John Jr. (Tracy) of Deep River, Conn. and Justin (Jamie) of Portland, Conn.; as well as his five grandchildren, John III (JT), Riley, Zachary, Connor, and Lindsey who will deeply miss their Pops. He is also survived by his brother, Richard (Jean) of Smithfield, RI, and his sister Margo Conley (Jim) of Portland, ME; as well as nieces, nephews; and numerous in-laws who he considered his dearest friends.

As John loved a party, we want to give him one last good one. Friends and family are invited to join us as we celebrate his life at Honey Run Beach and Campground in Peru, ME on Sunday, July 21, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice