AUBURN – John J. Clabby died at Bolster Heights in Auburn on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at the age of 88, with family by his side. Born on Nov. 25, 1932, he was the eighth child of 10, of Patrick and Margaret “Madden” Clabby.

John started working at the age of 16 at Bonefide Mill in Lisbon inspecting tile. He joined the National Guard in 1949 while attending and before graduating from Lewiston High School in 1951. Later he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, serving until 1955 in Germany. Upon returning home he worked at various jobs and then spent the majority of his working career as a roofer for Gladu roofing from 1958 until his retirement in his early 80s.

He married Connie “Honeybunch” Laflamme Letourneau in 1967. They were married for 52 years and lived on Hilltop Avenue in Lewiston. If you asked him how long he had been married, the answer was always the same, “I’ve been married all of my life. I wasn’t living until I met her.” They enjoyed many years of dancing from country line to ballroom, hosting family for holiday gatherings, and venturing to the beach. He adored and loved Connie until her passing in 2020.

John was a charismatic, beautiful man with a kind spirit who was always generous with his time. He enjoyed wood carving, dancing, playing and watching sports, reading, traveling, storytelling, and socializing. He always had a joke to tell. When friends would pull out pictures of their kids, he would pull out his picture of his “pride and joy” (Pride furniture wax and Joy dishwashing liquid). He was loved by many.

He is predeceased by his wife, Connie; his parents Patrick and Margaret Clabby; his sisters Margaret Chandonnett, Catherine Landry, Julia Terpstra, Anne Clabby, Mary Bird, Theresa Card; and his two brothers, Bernard and Francis Clabby.

John is survived by his stepson, Ronnie Letourneau and wife Debbie of Poland Spring, stepdaughter, Dianne Dorr and her husband Doug of Grants Pass, Ore.; three grandchildren, Jody Cloutier and wife Alice of Seattle, Jason Cloutier and his wife Arlyn of South Paris, and Scott Letourneau of New Orleans; three great-grandchildren, John, Jeremiah, and Brianna Cloutier; one sister, Patricia “Clabby” Kelley; and many nieces and nephews.

A depth of gratitude goes to John’s two nieces, Katie and Sue Clabby, and nephew, Michael Clabby, for the past two years of weekend day trips, errands, household and lawn chores, medical management, and loving supportive care to the finish line.

A Liturgy of the Word Service will be held at the Albert and Burpee Funeral Home on Friday, Nov. 5, at 12 p.m. Visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Committal prayers and military honors to follow the service at Mount Hope Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared online at http://www.albert-burpee.com .

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to the

Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance,

P.O. Box 1895,

Portland, ME, 04101.

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