John Gregg (Jack) Wilson, 89, of Boothbay Harbor, died peacefully at the Gregory Wing, St. Andrews Village, on Sept. 12.
He is survived by his children and their partners, Gregg Howeth Wilson and Diane Abajian, Janet Wilson Reit, and Nathaniel Smith Wilson and Rhonda Friedman; grandchildren and their spouses, Jordan Gregg Wilson and Jennifer Behr Wilson, Holly Luisa Wilson and Jeffrey Roth, Nathaniel Winship Wilson, Eben Smith Wilson, and Nicholas Brush Wilson; great-grandchildren, Isaac Matteo Roth and Abbey Jade Roth; sister, Jean Wilson Sullivan; and brother, James Everett Wilson.
He was predeceased by his wife, Marcia S. Wilson, and brother, Lewis Gilbert Wilson.
Jack was born on Oct. 1, 1917 in Framingham, Mass. to the Rev. John Henry Wilson and Lucille Gregg Wilson.
He married Marcia Smith of Walpole, Mass. on June 21, 1941, the same year he graduated from Harvard University where he rowed stroke for the Harvard crew that won the Grand Challenge Cup at the 100th running of the Henley Royal Regatta in England during the summer of 1939.
During WWII, Jack served in the U.S. Coast Guard and spent most of his tour as the engineering officer on LST 24 in the South Pacific. He was later stationed in Boston, Mass. and concluded his service as the commanding officer of a LORAN station in Greenland. After discharge, he earned a Master’s Degree in engineering from Harvard and began his career as a staff engineer specializing in construction projects for New England Power Company in Boston, Mass. In 1954, he accepted a position as the engineer in charge of construction for Consumers Power Company in Jackson, Mich.
Jack’s love of the Boothbay region began as a child when his parents brought him to visit his grandfather, the Rev. Lewis Gilbert Wilson, who built the Wilson Memorial Chapel on Ocean Point, and to Fisherman’s Island where he spent every summer of his youth. He continued the tradition of summer visits with his own family until 1967 when he and Marcia made Boothbay Harbor their home. They both became very active year-round residents, devoting more than 30 years to public service.
In 2005, the Town of Boothbay Harbor presented him with an award of recognition for his “More Than Four Decades of Outstanding and Dedicated Service” as an elected member of the Board of Assessors. He also served the town as a member of the Planning Board for several years. Jack was equally well known as proprietor of Boothbay Rubber Stamp, a business that was widely used by local companies.
Jack was a beloved father and grandfather. He was an inspiration to everyone that knew him. No one will forget the twinkle in his eye when he smiled, or his strong, persevering spirit which saw him through the physical difficulties he endured during the last years of his life.
The Wilson family would especially like to thank the staff at St. Andrews Village for their excellent care in support of Jack’s positive, can-do attitude while he was a resident of the Gregory Wing in St. Andrews Village.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jack’s memory to the Boothbay Regional Historical Society, 72 Oak St., Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.
Memorial service 2 p.m., Mon., Oct. 1 at the Wilson Memorial Chapel on Ocean Point.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay.
