On October 6, 2021, John Allan Short Sr., passed away into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ surrounded by his devoted family at Southern Maine Medical Center.  John is survived by his loving wife of forty six years, Ann (Woodman) Short, their two children and families: John Jr. and Teri Short of Buxton NC, David and Maryann (Short) Day of Eliot Me.  John is also survived by granddaughter Nova (Short) Stearns, her husband Chase, and great-granddaughter Everleigh; granddaughter Brook (Short) Bennett, her husband Roman, and great-grandson Roman Jr.; grandson Callum Day, granddaughter Ivy Short, granddaughter Alana Day, grandson Solomon Short, grandson Ayden Day; his sister Deloris (Short) White, brother in law Ray Wares, sister in law Norma Short, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. (John was predeceased by his parents, his sister Ethel Short Wares and his brother Frederick H. Short III.)

John was born on March 3, 1955, in Brunswick Maine to Frederick H. Short Jr. and Frances (Robertson) Short.  He lived most of his life in Eliot Maine.  He and Ann brought their children up in the home that John and his dad built together. In later years John and Ann moved to Acton, Maine where they have lived for eighteen years raising Brittany dogs.

From the beginning, John always cherished his relationship with his wife, their son and their daughter. He emphasized the importance of supporting each other and spending time together. John never missed a baseball game, a wrestling match, a field hockey game, softball game or any opportunity to cheer John or Maryann on. He made it a priority for them to have at least one vacation together a year.  Their family travels took them throughout the state of Maine, to Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and more.  Wilderness camping on Moosehead Lake created years of good memories.  He was a wonderful loving husband and father.

John's greatest enjoyment and happiest moments were those spent with his family.  He enjoyed large birthday and holiday celebrations and also those special times of one on one. John was an expert 'kidder', loved to playfully tell stories often leaving us wondering whether he was kidding or not!  John's brother and sisters never knew what to expect from him, including putting his sister's husband over his shoulder to give him a birthday spanking! He had a gift of giving, of serving, of deeply caring about what matters to his family. He was always happy to prepare a meal for them, whether it was making shaped pancakes for the grandchildren, a pot of American chop suey or a full-fledged lobster feed.  Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas dinners were John's specialty. Each one always included a secret family recipe.  Honoring "Short family traditions" through each holiday meal was important to John. One such tradition was "Grampa's Easter Salad", only to be prepared and served on Easter and the specific ingredients never to be shared.  An awesome grandfather, John always knew what to say to those he loved and cared about.  Grampa said  "no matter where you are in this world, we both are going to see the same stars when we look up into the night sky."  All of the memories of Grampa are the most important parts of the lives of his 7 grandchildren. He was always there for them no matter what and willing to do whatever he could to make them happy. Making necklaces and having tea parties, setting a sheet up for a movie night, going fishing or hunting, driving down a road, enjoying a Moxie and Smart Popcorn, making popcorn balls or donuts, and so much more.  John enjoyed teaching his grandchildren about hunting, fishing, dog training and more. John made time for his grandchildren, doing all of the same things he enjoyed doing with their parents when they were growing up in their Eliot home. It is hard for our grandchildren to find the words to describe the love they felt when they were with their 'grampa", which simply is to each of them, another word for love.

John also had a deeply, spiritual side which although quite private, it was an important part of who he was, especially in recent times when he firmly held onto his faith in God.  On October 29, 1994, John had accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, became Born Again, and was a Spirit filled Believer. John and Ann worshipped together at several churches the years, most recently the Maine Life Gate Christian Church in Limerick, Maine.

John retired after 30 years from Local 976 Labor Union in 2008 . As a foreman, he had worked in various locations throughout New England and primarily at the Seabrook Power Plant in Seabrook NH where he made many lifelong friends. John also served on the Executive Board of Local 976.

Maintaining friendships always were an integral part of John's life.  His childhood friendships have lasted throughout the years as he always stayed in touch with them. John was definitely a people person, and his sphere of influence was vast and wide.  Fueled by his passion for hunting, John and Ann began a breeding program in 1986 for the Brittany, a close working gundog. Together they were "J&A's Brittanys" and accomplished much with their dogs who are known throughout New England and beyond.  John loved helping other Brittany owners learn to train and handle their own dogs. He had a reputation as a true 'dog whisperer.' John judged hunt tests and field trials and was always involved with improving habitat and grounds where the events were held. He worked closely with the state regarding the Maine pheasant stocking program.  Spending time at home or in the field with his treasured Brittanys brought John great joy. He served as president of the Central Maine Brittany Club for many years as well as vice president of the Maine Bird Dog club. John was actively involved in various sportsman organizations and often called upon to help in youth events.

Friends are invited to visit with John's family on October 18 from 5-8 pm in the JS Pelkey and Son Funeral Home at 125 Old Post Road Kittery, Maine where a funeral will be held to honor his life the next day on Tuesday October 19 at 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. followed by a graveside service at Brooks Cemetery in Eliot, Maine.