PORTLAND — John “Jack” Donald McIlhinney, 82, of Windham died suddenly of natural causes Saturday, May 12, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

John was born in Flushing, N.Y., May 20, 1935, the son of John McIlhinney of Port Glasgow, Scotland, and Jean (Stewart) McIlhinney of Greenock, Scotland. He was a 1954 graduate of McBurney School in Manhattan, N.Y., and attended Hofstra University for two years.

He met his wife, Diane (Gould) McIlhinney, while skiing at Mt. Snow in Vermont. The gentleman that he was, he offered Diane his sweater after she melted, then later split the seam of her ski pants on the slopes. They married on Oct. 15, 1960, at Westside Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, N.J. The couple moved to Maine in 1969 and the two of them have been happily married for nearly 58 years.

John enlisted in the Navy Reserve and served for two years. He later enlisted in the Coast Guard as a machinist mate and retired as machinery technician chief petty officer 24 years later. He had a love of sailing, and his Coast Guard family was proud of his many years of service.

After retiring from the Coast Guard, John worked at Bath Iron Works as an operating engineer and retired after 10 years of service with the nickname “Older than Dirt,” which he embraced. He loved sea trials and all the people he worked with.

John was raised a Master Mason at Major General Henry Knox Lodge in Boston, Mass., and was a Legionnaire at Field Allen Post 148. He was a member of Sebago Lake Congregational Church in Standish, where he presided as moderator, trustee and deacon.

Among his many interests were hunting, skiing, visits with family at Lake St. Catherine in Vermont and his love of pets. He enjoyed people, had a kind heart and loved to share his mischievous wit and shenanigans.

Surviving relatives include his beloved wife, Diane, of Windham; three loving children, John Scott McIlhinney and his wife, Kristy, of Casco, Kristen Izzi and her husband, Paul, of Franklin, Tenn., and Susan M. Crane and her husband, Troy, of Auburn.

His love and stashes of candy will be missed by his grandchildren Johnathan D. McIlhinney and his wife, Lynsie, of Norfolk, Va., Daniel A. McIlhinney of Charleston, Samantha J. Izzi of Franklin, Tenn., Brian E. Crane and his girlfriend, Cadie Richardson, of Turner and Amanda M. Izzi, Emily A. Izzi and Zachary M. Izzi, all of Franklin, Tenn. He also has two great-grandchildren, Amelia L. McIlhinney and Hunter S. McIlhinney, both of Norfolk, Va. He will be sadly missed by his sister, Jean S. Britt, of Fairhaven, Vt.

He was predeceased by his sister, Rebecca E. Oberkirch, of Hubberton, Vt., and both of his parents.

To express condolences or to participate in John’s online tribute, please visit www.DolbyBlaisSegee.com.

John “Jack” McIlhinney