CAPE ELIZABETH – John Robert Linehan passed away unexpectedly Feb. 19, 2008, while on his annual winter visit to his daughter’s home in Southern California. John was the devoted husband of Maryrose C. Linehan, who predeceased him in 2004, and the beloved father of James E., Patrick J. and Deborah C. Linehan. John was born April 15, 1930, in Brock-ton, Mass., the third of four children of James E. and Lydia (Burke) Linehan. He graduated from Brockton High School and served four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, earning the rank of staff sergeant. On April 1, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Maryrose C. Nagle, also of Brock-ton, Mass. They initially raised their children in Abington and North Easton, Mass., and then relocated to New York, Arizona, Massachusetts and Nebraska, as John built a long, successful career as an operations executive in mail order and retail merchandising. In 1996 he retired as director of operations for sporting goods giant Cabela’s, after managing the construction of the company’s first new retail store in Sidney, Neb. John and Maryrose retired to Cape Elizabeth in 1996 and were active parishioners of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. John was an outgoing Irishman, active in community and religious organizations, including the Jaycees, Elks Club, Rotary International, Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus. Outside of spending time with his family and gardening, his great love was singing and listening to live music, especially jazz and traditional Irish music. In Nebraska he enjoyed performing for many years with the Fort Sidney Colonels, a popular men’s chorale group. John is survived by his son, Patrick of Washington, D.C. and Seoul, South Korea; daughter, Deborah of Oxnard, Calif.; son, James and daughter-in-law, Karen of Bangor; grandchildren, Flynn, Anna and Conor Linehan of Boston and Bangor; sister-in-law, Molly; brother, Edmund and sister-in-law, Sandra, all of Massachusetts; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and special family friends, Mark and Mary Pat Sweeney, Chris Howard and Emerson Kanegusuke. He was predeceased by his older brother and sister, Joseph F. Linehan and Mary Gordy, both of Massachusetts. Visiting hours will be held 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. A funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, Cape Elizabeth. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 163 Lancaster St., Suite 98R, Portland, ME 04101. You can print the obituary or send condolences to the family at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.
JOHN R. LINEHAN
