HAMPDEN – On Nov. 15, 2010, the world lost a great man. John Thomson Story was born July 10, 1947, the youngest child of Annie and Anson Story. He was raised in Winslow and graduated from Winslow High School in 1965 and from Thomas College in 1974. John was a career military man with 36 years of service. He joined the Air National Guard in 1966. He proudly served his country with two deployments during the Persian Gulf War and refueling operations over Ground Zero after Sept. 11. John flew from the backseat of the F-101 fighter jets for several years and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2002 as a navigator on the KC-135 tankers with the Maineiacs Air Refueling Wing, Bangor. On July 29, 1967, he married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Colleen Kittredge. In 1978 John and Colleen moved to Hampden, where they raised their two daughters, Shelley and Mariann. Hampden is where their family continued to grow with the addition of four grandchildren. Papa was so proud of Courtney, Tyler, Maddison and Emily. He rarely missed a concert, dance recital or sporting event. Anyone who knew John was aware that he had two passions, his family and the game of golf. Some of his fondest memories were undoubtedly watching his grandson, Tyler, develop a love for the game. John is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Colleen of Hampden; two daughters, Shelley K. Foster of Winthrop and Mariann L. Willey and husband, Robert, of Carmel; four grandchildren, Courtney Foster, Tyler John Foster, Maddison Willey and Emily Willey; son-in-law, Scott Foster; his mother-in-law, Cathryn Kittredge of Waterville; brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul and Kathie Drouin, Dan and Kim Quirion and Mike and Gayla Cassidy; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. John was predeceased by his parents; and two sisters, Mary Mathieu and Anne Tesseo. Family and friends may visit 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, where a funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 19. Interment will be at Maine Veterans Cemetery, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Bangor Humane Society, 693B, Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401. Messages of condolence and memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com.
JOHN T. STORY
