PORTLAND — John Danforth of Woodstock and North Conway, N.H., passed away peacefully Feb. 9, at Maine Medical Center, after a brief illness.

At his side at the time of his passing, were his beloved mother, Theresa Andrews Theriault, his partner, Bruce Goodwin, his father, John Cox III, paternal grandmother and his best friend, Brian Wilson.

John was surrounded by love, compassion, prayers and the open arms of Jesus in his final days with us.

John was a strong-willed, self-made man who excelled at all he did. From being a CNA and a mental health counselor, John was also known for breeding, training and showing his championship Weimaraner dogs at Northstar Kennels that he founded in 2003. He loved nothing more than to show his prize winning dogs up and down the east coast of the United States.

John could run faster, hike, bike, climb, swim and always ready to compete and win. He could also move faster from table to table to slot machine to slot machine at the casinos and always come out winning. This also went for the racetrack, which he wouldn’t miss a race and always sure to pick a winner.

However, John‘s proudest accomplishment was designing and building his beautiful log home on the side of Mollyocket Mountain in Woodstock.

Besides his mother, Theresa; his partner, Bruce; father, John III; and best friend, Brian; he leaves behind his brother, Joseph Cox; sister, Halaigh Bonney; his paternal grandmother and maternal grandparents; he also leaves many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, friends; and his buddy, Chester Brown.

We will never have another John Boy in our lives again. However, John will live on in our hearts and memories forever. John’s ashes will be taken to the top of Grafton Notch in the spring and spread over the mountains. He always said he wanted to be close with nature and close to the heavens, and we will bring him on one last hike.