After nearly a century roaming the highways and byways of North America, cruising the deep blue sea, and soaring the endless skies, John Rawson concluded his trek on the morning of February 5th, 2025 after being a resident of Kittery since 1971.

John grew up in Madison, Connecticut, as the sixth of eight children. In his ninety-five years, he had the opportunity to practice myriad specialties: pastor, fireman, chaplain, small-town police officer, soldier, construction site security, and lumber yard manager. If you asked him What do you do? he would likely have said minister, for that was closest to his heart: a chance to engage other souls, to share humor, observations, and philosophy, to listen, suggest, and console. His service to parishes in Acton, Kittery Point, Rangeley, and North Yarmouth outlasts even those with direct memory of his time in the pulpit. Yet his accomplishments transcended his career: he served nearly forty years as a Maine firefighter, driver, lieutenant, and chaplain, was instrumental in the founding of the Maine Fire Chaplains Association, and represented his community on the Kittery Town Council. An avid groundskeeper, many locals will readily recall the sight of him navigating the rider mower around the property, or engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the dandelions in his pith helmet.

John was predeceased by his beloved wife, Oezzie (Olga), with whom he shared nearly sixty years of wedded bliss. Together they crossed the United States by car, train, van, and RV, eventually claiming all but two states. They watched whales in the Bay of Fundy, trekked the canyons of Mexico, walked Alaskan glaciers and circled icebergs off Newfoundland, cruised the waters of the Caribbean, and enjoyed many other adventures with their children, grandchildren, and friends, as well as a pair of St Bernards (Honey and Gretchen). His memory and knowledge of local roads throughout New England were legendary, as he offered advice on alternate routes even when his vision kept him from driving. He is also predeceased by his parents, Dorothy and Irwin, as well as his siblings Irv, Chuck, Jean, Dot, Ken, and Joyce.

He is survived by two sons: David, who resides in Scarborough with his wife, Pam; and Charles, a resident of Waldorf, Maryland, with his wife Lisa; four grandchildren, Emily, Nick, Kiersten, and Kelsey, two great-grandchildren, Sebastian and Lily; his younger sister Marjorie, and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements have been made through J S Pelkey & Son Funeral Home in Kittery.