CARIBOU – John C. Penny, 73, died Dec. 20, 2009, in Caribou, after a long illness. He was born Sept. 6, 1936, in York, the son of the late Herbert and Gertrude (Craig) Penny. Mr. Penny was a graduate of Portsmouth High School and as a young man was a faithful member of Ground Observer Corps. He then went on to serve in the Army National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1955. He then joined the Air Force and served on active duty until 1959 and reserve duty until 1961. While in the Air Force, he received his training as a radar repair technician in Kessler, Miss. From there he was stationed at the Presque Isle air base where he met and married the love of his life, Eloise Dow and they married Dec. 24, 1957. John loved music and always spoke with pride about his membership in a barber shop quartet in the 1960s. He enjoyed his role as a scout leader in the 1970s and was a member of Trinity Lodge AF & AM of Presque Isle. John was employed as an electronics technician in the area for more than 37 years. He took great pride in working on his home and enjoyed hunting and fishing in beautiful Northern Maine. He especially enjoyed having his grandchildren and great-grandchildren around, and always followed their active lives with great fondness and pride. Surviving, in addition to his wife of 52 years, Eloise of Caribou, are one son, Lloyd Penny of Oakland; two daughters and a son-in-law, JoAnn Blackstone, and Lori and Gregg Collins, all of Caribou; a sister, Caroline Donnell of Kittery; five grandchildren, Julie and Ryan Blackstone, and Emily, Annie and Adam Collins; two great-grandchildren, Callie Brown and Felicia Blackstone; several nieces and nephews. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, at Gray Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Thomas Bentum officiating. Spring interment will be at Fairview Cemetery, Perham. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Penny may do so through Gray Memorial United Methodist Church Memorial Fund. For an online register, please go to www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.
JOHN C. PENNY
