Lt. Col. (USAF Ret) John Rothstein, 80, of Kittery, ME, passed away at Portsmouth Regional Hospital surrounded by his family on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, after battling pneumonia. He was born in San Antonio, TX, at Kelly Field on November 2, 1944, the son of Daniel and Wrenna Rothstein. John was a 1962 graduate of Southside HS in Rockville Center, NY, and a 1966 graduate of Alfred University. After earning a master's degree from George Washington in 1968, he went on to join the Air Force, serving in the Vietnam War and retiring in 1992. In 1978, John married Barbara and spent the rest of his life loving and caring for her. John was a lifelong bookworm, a lover of animals, and a steadfast rock for everyone in his family.

He was predeceased by his father, Daniel Rothstein, who passed in 1999; his mother, Wrenna Rothstein, who passed in 1977; and his brother, Stephen Rothstein, who passed in 2017.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Rothstein; two children, Rebecca Eloi of Pembroke Pines, FL, and Jamie Albies of Dover, NH; his siblings Lois Fowler of Gainesville, FL, Robert Rothstein of Minneapolis, MN, Rachael Rothstein, Rebecca Rothstein, Sam Kasle, Doug Kasle, Margret Taylor, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held this Spring.