BRIDGTON – John R. Gazza, 71, of Harrison, passed peacefully on Dec. 5, at Bridgton Hospital.

Born April 23, 1937, in Manhattan, N.Y., son of John and Catherine (Negri) Gazza, moving to Connecticut in 1943, he graduated from Glastonbury High, class of ’55.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving from 1955 to 1958. John worked for Kaman Aerospace Corp., and was a partner in Azzag Instrument Repair in Connecticut.

In 1976, he and his family moved to Maine after purchasing Long Lake Campsites in North Bridgton.

He then became a partner in Kozy Kamper.

After receiving his real estate license in the early ’80s, John opened Heritage Realty in 1986, and in his spare time enjoyed a few years bartending/managing the Olde Mill Tavern.

He also possessed a great talent for carpentry, building a home in Glastonbury and two in the Lakes Region.

He always enjoyed a good renovation project for family and friends.

He was an active member of his community, serving on the North Bridgton Fire Department, Harrison Old Home Days president for five years, Harrison planning board member from 1989 to 1991, and a member of the Western Maine Board of Realtors.

He thoroughly enjoyed Christmas for children as one of Santa’s best helpers.

In 1985, he made local history by simultaneously pulling 12 water-skiers with one boat down Long Lake.

His favorite recreational activity was golf.

The world would stop for 4 hours if his “golfing buddies” called to suggest that a course within 50 miles was beckoning.

He is survived by his mother of Glastonbury, Conn.; his wife of 20 years, Susan Searles-Gazza and his special little dog, Zia, of Harrison; three sons, James J. Gazza and fiancée, Nicole Gruver, of Scotland, Conn., Randy J. Gazza and wife, Linda, of Harrison and Richard R. Gazza and wife, Michele, of Tilton, N.H.; three stepchildren, Carol Doucette and husband, Mark, of Harrison, Chris Searles of Harrison and Kim Todd and husband, Jim, of Hampden; and nine grandchildren, Jessica Desrochers, Brian Kellough, Steven, Michael and Andrew Doucette, Kemsen and Karter Searles and Zachary and A.J. Todd. John will also be missed by his many cousins and their families.

John was predeceased by his father and infant son, John Francis.