John Francis Newmeyer
1924 – 2009

NORWAY — John Francis Newmeyer, 85, of the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris, passed away at Stephens Memorial Hospital on Dec. 8, of complications from his dementia.

He was born in New Brunswick, N.J., Aug. 1, 1924, the first son to Francis John Newmeyer and Margaret (Roth) Newmeyer. He attended schools in East and New Brunswick until 1942, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy to fight in World War II, where he served as a gunner on Atlantic convoys.

After the war, he married Dorothy Lecky of New Brunswick, N.J., completed his high school degree and began his career as a carpenter. He ran his own business before joining the Brotherhood of Carpenter’s Union, where he was a master carpenter. His craftsmanship was legendary and he was always in demand. He built hundreds of homes and commercial buildings all over central New Jersey.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his brothers and sons. Almost every Sunday, he took his family to Point Pleasant Beach. He was an avid gardener and reader, especially books about World War II. He was always quick with a compliment and had a twinkle in his eye, especially for the ladies. He served on various boards over the years including the East Brunswick Chamber of Commerce.

He relocated to Plainsboro, N.J., where he built another family home, before moving into a condo at Ravens Crest, where he planted and kept a famous flower garden and made many friends.

He moved to West Paris in 2006 to live with his eldest son and wife, Jack and Wendy Newmeyer. He had spent many happy vacations at their home through the years, always eager to help with building projects. He lived with them until December 2008, when he moved to the Veterans’ Home due to his illness.

He is survived by all seven of his children, John “Jack” Newmeyer and wife, Wendy, of West Paris, Donna Anderson of Norway, Joseph Newmeyer of Dallas, Ga., Jeffrey Newmeyer of Auburn, Jeanne and husband, Bill Bennett, of Clinton, Mo., Carl Newmeyer and wife, Patty Hart, of Whitmore Lake, Mich., and Jim Newmeyer of Hightstown, N.J.; he also leaves behind five grandchildren, Billy and Kayla Newmeyer of Western Maine, Joe-Ryan and Caitlyn Newmeyer of Dallas, Ga., and Melissa Newmeyer of Trenton, N.J.; and his siblings, James Newmeyer of Calabash, N.C., Thomas Newmeyer of Sunset Beach, N.C., Francis Newmeyer of Pompano Beach, Fla., Anne Mason of Oregon City, Ore., and Marguerite Sandor of Vienna, Austria.

He was predeceased by the love of his life, Dorothy, who sadly
passed away in 1970, after 24 years of marriage; and two
sisters, Mary (Newmeyer) Hillhouse and Agnes (Newmeyer) Plaganis.

“May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.” 

Traditional Irish blessing and one of John’s favorites.