PORTLAND – J.S. “Jack” Passon died suddenly July 28, at Maine Medical Center.

Born in Detroit, Mich., Nov. 5, 1929, to John E. and Elizabeth H. Passon, he grew up in Rockland, graduating from Rockland High School. He received his degree in engineering from Maine Maritime Academy and later graduated from Babson College in Massachusetts, with a degree in economics.

Two days after graduation from MMA he married Jean Francis Doe of Auburn. He sailed with American Export for a time, before being called to serve with the Navy during the Korean War. He was engineer and damage control officer on board the USNS Gen. Butner.

Before entering Babson, he made money to support his growing family by going to sea as an engineer with a crew of Newfoundland fishermen on the old World War II refrigeration ships, dragging for redfish on the Grand Banks.

After graduation he went to work for Lukens Steel Co. in Coatesville, Pa., and was with them for 20 years. In 1980, he started his own import/export steel company, Delta Resources, which continued for more than 20 years.

He lived many places in this country and traveled to many other countries during his business career. His life was full and adventurous.

He is survived by wife, Jean, of Amherst, N.H.; son, Kurt, of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; daughters, Krista Jean and husband, Tracy Kozelek, of Raymond, N.H., and Karen Golden, of Berwick; grandsons are Russell, Kenneth and Alex Passon and Connor Golden; and also his wife’s sister, Connie and her husband, Gil Leslie.

In summer he enjoyed visiting Woodman’s Sporting Goods of Norway, shooting with the Auburn Skeet Club and living on Thompson Lake.