John A.F. Trueman, 94, of Newcastle, surrounded by his children and dogs, died peacefully in his home Sept. 18. Born on May 20, 1917 in Somerville, Mass. to Paul T. Trueman and Dorothy Noyes, he enjoyed, along with his sister Elinor, a rambunctious and creative youth.
In 1942, John joined the Army Corps of Engineers and headed to Pearl Harbor to help clean up the destruction. Needing a good ride on Oahu, he went back to Massachusetts and drove his 1938 Rolls Royce across the country and shipped it to Hawaii.
After the war, John returned to Massachusetts where he worked as an engineer, putting himself through college. During this time, he hooked up with the infamous Captain Tom Horgan and sailed the coast of New England for National Geographic Magazine. On one of the stops in Cutler, John met the love of his life, Priscilla Lou Burke of Portland.
Living in Scituate, Mass., John started his own company High Vacuum Equipment Corporation of Hingham, Mass. He developed testing equipment for NASA and mirror coating machines for telescope lenses. This career led him all over the world, from the top of Patagonia Mountains of Chile to Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
Happy summers were spent on Peaks Island and after living in Hawaii several winters, John and Priscilla moved to beautiful Puka Rock Farm in Newcastle. Priscilla passed away in 1995.
John was a lifetime member of the NRA, and enjoyed collecting antiques and firearms.
He had a full, long life, shared by his loving children, Jean D. Trueman of Hawaii, Dorothy Trueman Renda of New Hampshire, Paul T. Trueman of Newcastle and Lawrence B. Trueman of Waldoboro; grandchildren, Johnny and Jeannie Trueman and Andrew Renda; as well as his beloved dogs, New-D and Iggy.
Celebration of his life 12 p.m., Sun., Sept. 25 at his home in Newcastle.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
