BANGOR – John Edward Geagan died peacefully on his 87th birthday of congestive heart failure at the Maine Veterans’ Home. He was born Oct. 17, 1918, in Bangor, the son of William H. and Maude (Lynn) Geagan. John attended St. John’s School, John Bapst High School and Higgins Classical Institute. In 1942, he graduated from Colby College, majoring in history. He was a stellar debater and would challenge any issue and argue the unpopular side for the sake of argument. He was a loving person and mentor to many. He was generous with his opinions and could quote anybody who said anything worth repeating. He was an outstanding member of the Boy Scouts, with 12 years service to The Katahdin Area Council and attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. He loved Camp Roosevelt and spent many summers there as a scout and camp counselor. In the fall of 1942, while enlisted but not yet assigned, John directed an expedition of scouts to Aroostook County to help harvest the potato crop, in what was then the greatest farm labor shortage in Maine’s history. On completion of his work in Aroostook County, he reported to the Army Air Corps School as a flying cadet. He became a B-17 pilot serving in the Eighth Air Force with the 728th bomb squadron of the 452nd bomb group based at Deopham Green, England. John completed 35 combat missions over Europe, twice earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. After service in the European theatre he was assigned to the Pacific, transporting troops and supplies. John was among the first pilots to land in Japan after the surrender delivering medical supplies in exchange for American POW’s. In January 1945, John married Patricia Taber. They made their home in Bangor, where they raised four children. They spent many memorable summers at Bayside, Northport, Maine. From the mid-40’s through the mid-60’s, John owned and operated Bangor Bottling Company. In 1969, he moved to northern California where he lived for 27 years. He retired from a career in sales but shortly returned to the workforce at age 64. John went on to work for 15 years in the field of social services. He then moved to Punta Gorda, Fla., where he again unsuccessfully retired. At age 79, John began a stint as a substitute elementary school teacher. His final years were spent in Bangor surrounded by his family. John was predeceased by two sisters, Ellen Sandberg and Anna Gilbert. He is survived by four children, daughter, Colleen Robbins and husband, John, of Orono, son, Jack Geagan and wife, Joanne, of Montville, son, Frank Geagan and wife, Rebecca, of Pittsfield, daughter, Kim Hodge and husband, Jeff, of Etna; five grandchildren, Melissa Jagger and husband, Eric, of Winterport, Beth Mitchell and husband, Will, of Orland, Jake Geagan, Jesse Geagan, Justin Geagan of Montville; two great-grandchildren, Sophie and Joey Mitchell of Orland; several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his friend and former wife, Patricia, of Bangor. John also leaves his World War II co-pilot and lifelong friend, John Godfrey, of Stone Mountain, Ga. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staff for the compassionate loving care and dedication John “Jack” received at the Residential Care Unit of the Maine Veterans’ Home, Bangor. Friends are invited to share stories with the family 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, during a Memorial Gathering at Brookings-Smith Family Center, 163 Center St., Bangor. Private interment will be at Mount Pleasant Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Katahdin Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 1869, Bangor, ME 04402 or to a charity of one’s choice.