CHIEF J. JOHN L. CARON, SEABEE, NAVAL CONSTRUCTION BATTALION

FORT KENT – Chief J. John L. Caron, Seabee, Naval Construction Battalion, 70, surrendered to the authority of his supreme commander Jan. 3, 2011, surrounded by family at a Brewer rehabilitation center. Joe was born April 12, 1940, in Fort Kent, and was predeceased by his parents, Omer and Marie Ann (Boulay) Caron. “Joe” was a 30-year veteran who served in the Army and Navy, with two tours in Vietnam. He was also commissioned to Germany, Diego Garcia, Guam, Mississippi, Rhode Island, Portsmouth, N.H., and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Joe was well-trained by the military to give orders. His favorite directives were: “Listen to me, pay attention, I’m talking to you!” He will be remembered as a man of many talents with a creative and colorful personality. He was a trumpet player in his younger years and enjoyed woodworking and gourmet cooking. In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by two brothers, Paul and Michael. He is survived by his wife, Susan of Virginia; daughter, Angelique and Justin of Maryland; two grandchildren, Kyle and Alana; four stepchildren, Tim of New Hampshire, Jack and Diane of Florida, Colleen of Virginia and Shannon and Simon of Arkansas and their families. Joe leaves his siblings, Frances Shepard of Everett, Wash., Dolores and Omer Plourde of Fort Kent, J. Reno and Martha of Roy, Wash., J. Roger and Marie of Easton, Pa., Terry of Fort Kent and David and Barbara of Mars Hill; a multitude of nephews, nieces and cousins throughout the U.S. and Australia. His special friends were James, Sue and “Wren” (Roy) Ouellette, “Madame Rose” Piasecki and Germaine Saucier, Chad Pelletier, Don Ouellette and Lola Charette, R.N. Sincere thanks to Togus Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bangor Dialysis Center, Northern Maine Medical Center, Eastern Maine Medical Center, Brewer Rehabilitation and Aroostook Home Health Services, Fort Kent. Joe donated his body to the University of New England, Anatomical Donor Program, Biddeford, for medical research. The studies take from one to three years. Cremated remains will be returned and buried at Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery, Caribou. A memorial service with full military honors will be held in the summer in Fort Kent. Donations to honor the memory of Chief J. John L. Caron may be made to Aroostook House of Comfort Foundation, P.O. Box 766, Presque Isle, ME 04769.