BAR HARBOR – John James Weast, O.D., 89, died Jan. 3, 2008, at Maine Medical Center, Portland, after a period of declining health. It was six years ago to the day that his beloved wife, Ruth, passed from this life to the next. John was born May 14, 1918, in Hopkinton, N.H., the son of Bessie Mae (Barlow) and James Alexander Weast. He graduated from Concord High School, Concord, N.H., in 1936 and received his doctoral degree in optometry from Massachusetts College of Optometry in 1940. On June 22, 1940, he had the good fortune to marry Ruth Bean and while honeymooning in Bar Harbor, decided to make it home. John practiced optometry in Bar Harbor for more than 40 years. He was actively involved in many civic organizations and readily volunteered with his time and talent. He belonged to St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church, Mount Desert Island and was a member of their choir. He was an avid musician, who had his own dance band, played in the Bar Harbor town band and received his 50- year pin with the Anah Temple Shrine Band. He belonged to the Masons and served on the board of directors of Bar Harbor Savings and Loan. His leadership in the community was quiet and thoughtful with a strength that revealed his great sense of humanity. John enjoyed playing golf and until recently, belonged to the Kebo Valley Golf Club. He also enjoyed playing bridge on a reg-ular basis with his friends. He was known for his patience and compassion. He had many gifts, from telling stories to fixing almost anything, to help-ing animals. He had a wonderful sense of humor and had a way of lifting other people’s spirits when he was around. He will be remembered as a kind and gentle man, who possessed a lightness of being, had a love of life, lived it today and did it with gratitude. He is survived by his daughter, Susanne Wheat and her husband, Frank, of Yarmouth; his son, James Weast and his wife, Margaret, of South Carolina; his sisters, Myrtle Chase of Cumberland and Elnora Rice of Florida; four grandchildren, two great-granddaughters, as well as nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Ruth Weast; his grandson, James Weast Jr.; and his sister, Florence Stone. There will be a memorial service 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, at St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church, 41 Mount Desert St., Bar Harbor, with the Rev. Jonathan Appleyard officiating. Burial will be in the spring in Bar Harbor. Donations may be made in John’s memory to the charity of your choice or to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114. Arrangements are under the care of Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth.
JOHN J. WEAST
