PORTLAND — John T. Richardson, 88, of Portland, died Saturday, Dec. 17.

He was born in Ellsworth on May 11, 1923, the son of Adelbert Richardson and Olga Peterson Richardson. He attended schools in Ellsworth and Farmington, N.H., graduating from Farmington High School on June 13, 1940. He graduated from the MacIntosh Business College in Dover, N.H., on Aug. 20, 1948.

There he met his beloved wife, Lorraine Dube, while they both attended MacIntosh. They married Feb. 20, 1948, and celebrated 55 years together before her death on March 25, 2003. John later married Mildred Dee in 2004 and had five joyful years with her until she passed away in 2009.

He served his country during World War II in the Merchant Marine, where he saw action in the South Atlantic. His ship was torpedoed and sunk. He and his shipmates spent two days in life rafts before being rescued. Later he served as a waist gunner on a B17, flying several missions in Europe in the Eighth Army Air Force out of Yeldham, England.

In 1948, he entered the U.S. Postal Service as a railway mail clerk, retiring as postmaster of Barrington, N.H., after 30 years of service. He always spoke fondly of his days in the RPO and until his final days could remember which trains carried which town’s mail.

John was a member of the Winthrop Congregational Church UCC in Winthrop, the American Legion Post in Winthrop, the National Association of Federal Retirees, the 381st Bomb Group Association and the National Association of Postmasters.

He was a kind, caring and patient man. He never had a cross word for anyone and loved all who were part of his family. He was always supportive of his two grandchildren, Lauren and Damon, giving them encouragement and guidance in their academic careers and personal interests. He was a devoted caregiver to Lorraine and Millie in their later years. He loved his two daughters, Gail and Jill, and was deeply saddened by Gail’s death in May 2011. He thoroughly enjoyed the many gatherings he attended with Millie’s children, who welcomed him as part of the family.

He is survived by his daughter, Jill Hastings of Mount Vernon and her husband, the Rev. Stephen Hastings; and his grandchildren, Lauren and Damon, of Portland. Survivors also include Millie’s family, Robert and Theresa Dee of South Portland, Michael Dee of Windham, Patricia and Robert Lee of Turner, Jacqueline and Charles Krebs of Wankesha, Wis., Denise and Michael Beckwith of Windham, and Richard and Susan Dee of Jay.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Lorraine; his second wife, Millie; his sisters, Dorothy Powell and Frances Hibbard; and his daughter, Gail Richardson.

Condolences, memories, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the funeral home website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.