1926 – 2016

WATERFORD — John Sterling Eaton died Saturday, July 23, with his devoted family by his side.

He was born in Boston, Mass., on May 22, 1926, the son of Charles Newell Eaton and Agnes MacDonald Eaton. He grew up in Winchester, Mass. with brother, William Tapley Eaton, and spent four happy summers at Birch Rock Camp in East Waterford. He attended Winchester schools through high school, then graduated from Tabor Academy in Marion, Mass.

John served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a radio man in the South Pacific and Perth, Australia. He graduated from Boston University College of Business Administration in 1950. Throughout his career, he was employed in the industrial food industry. With territory covering greater New England, life on the road allowed him a rare expertise in navigating back roads and finding shortcuts home. He finished his career happily running Rounds General Store at the Waterford Flats.

In 1954, he married Martha Proctor Stockwell of Belmont, Mass. They had six children and many pets. They lived in Winchester and then in Andover, Mass., until his retirement to Waterford in 1988. He always considered Winchester home and proudly served as a town meeting member. Once in Andover, he was elected to the School Committee and was privileged to present diplomas to two of his children.

John was a committed family man who deeply loved his children, grandchildren, golden retrievers, and cats. He was actively involved with his numerous nephews and nieces and enjoyed the many family traditions of his extended family. He especially cherished his role as leader of the “Outlaws.”

Throughout his life he enjoyed sports, baseball, hockey, golf and sports car rallies, and for many years coached Little League Baseball and Youth Hockey. After retiring, John joined the Oxford Hills chapter of SCORE, represented Waterford in Oxford Hills Recycling, and was a substitute teacher at Lake Region High School. He and Martha also spent many years traveling across the U.S. in their mini Winnebago, visiting friends and family, attending elderhostels, and touring historic sites. His unique humor and enthusiasm were enjoyed by all who knew him.

John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Martha; children, Nancy Eaton of Waterford, Patricia Brennan and her husband, Chris, of Otisfield, Virginia Eaton of Hamilton, Mass., Bill Eaton and his wife, Lisa, of Hamilton, Mass., Marci Eaton of North Chelmsford, Mass., and Joanne Eaton and her husband, Timothy Lorrain, of Waterford; grandchildren, Brittany Blasko and her husband, Tim, Haley Horgan, Rachel Brennan, Tapley Eaton, Isabella and Abigail Baker, and Bryant Upton. In addition to countless extended Stockwell and Tarbell relatives, he is also survived by his brother’s wife Jean; niece Libby; and nephew John of Oregon.

Sadly, he was predeceased by his brother, Bill; and daughter-in-law, Andrea Little Eaton. Online condolences and messages may be left for his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.