1945 – 2013

PORTLAND — John McPeek, 68, of Mexico, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Aug. 1, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

John was born in Sydney, N.Y., on June 25, 1945, the son of Robert W. and Vergie M. (Spangenburg) McPeek. He graduated from Guilford High School in New York and attended college in New Haven, Conn. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1965, serving his country in the Vietnam War. Like so many soldiers, he was a silent warrior and never spoke of his experiences.

John married his soul mate, Pearl (Vicki) Garrett on June 22, 1968, in Mexico, where they enjoyed 45 years together, recently renewing their wedding vows. The couple had three children, Jon, Angela and Kathy, as well as three wicked awesome grandchildren, Kurt, Kyle and Alexa. According to his grandchildren, he was “the coolest Papa you could ever want!”

John’s passions in life were painting, religion, family and animals. His dedication showed through in his daily paintings. When not attending church and studying the Bible, where he was a devoted member of the First Light United Pentecostal Church in Dixfield, he would spend hours in his room listening to music, surrounded by his cats and bird, creating family and religious paintings.

John is survived by his wife, Vicki McPeek of Mexico; daughter, Angela Varnum and her husband, Silver, and their daughter, Alexa, of Dixfield; daughter, Kathy Townsend and her husband, Kevin, and their sons, Kurt and Kyle of Hampden; brother, Francis McPeek of Georgia and children, Lynne, Lorraine, Robert, Denise and Bridget; and nephews, Andrew, Glen, Jeff and Timothy VonWald.

John was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Vergie McPeek; sister, Leona VonWald; and son, Jon A. McPeek.