John Ambrose Ayen, 72, passed away on March 2, 2020, at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine.
John was born in Alexandria Bay, N.Y. on September 29, 1948, the son of Ambrose and Pearl (Tibbles) Ayen.
He married Sharon Rumble on April 15, 1967, in Gouverneur.
He served in the U.S. Army as an Air Defense Artillery radar technician.
While in the military he did three tours in Germany, El Paso, Texas and Key West, Florida. He was awarded the Army Commendation, Good Conduct and National Defense Service medals, the NCO Professional Development and Overseas Service ribbons and the Marksman Badge.
While in the military, John enjoyed building and racing cars (along with Sharon). He was a member of the German/American Race Club. His hobbies included woodworking in his workshop aka "Pa's Workshop", tinkering on his grandsons' snowmobiles and 4-wheelers, so they were all ready and running for their weekend visits and he could Ayenize anything.
He was employed by Lockheed Martin working at the Moscow Radar Site in Moscow, Maine before transferring to Lockheed Martin in Ocala, Florida, where he worked for thirteen years until his retirement. John and Sharon returned to Maine in 2011.
He was a member of the Disabled America Veteran's Association and the Albion Lion's Club.
John is survived by his wife, Sharon; son, John D. Ayen; and daughter, Amanda Ayen Atwood and her husband, Ben Atwood; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his sister, Sheila Finley of Florida and Jean Merritt of California.
He is predeceased by his parents and six brothers and sisters.
There will be a graveside service scheduled at a later date at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta, Maine.
An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at familyfirstfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral and Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield, Maine.