John Arthur Appleton Obituary (1928 - 2012)

AUGUSTA -- John Arthur Appleton, 83, of East Winthrop and formerly of Augusta, passed away Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, after a brief illness. He was born in Augusta, Feb. 11, 1928, the son of James Percy and Marguerite (Sukeforth) Appleton. He grew up in the Riverside section of Vassalboro and attended Riverside School. John graduated from Cony High School in 1945 and from Colby College in 1949 with a degree in business administration. At Colby, he was a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity and served as a class officer his sophomore and junior years. John married Gail Brooks on June 30, 1956. John was an avid sports fan and always enjoyed following Cony, Colby College and Syracuse University athletic activities. John had many friends, and in his retirement years he enjoyed morning coffee with a group of friends at various local restaurants. John worked at Central Maine Power Co. as an accountant from 1949 to 1952. He then went to work for the state of Maine, retiring in 1990 as director of the Right of Way Division, after 38 years of service with the Maine Department of Transportation. John and his wife, Gail, spent the last 18 winters in Dunedin, Fla. They enjoyed playing golf and walking the beach. John was a longtime resident of Fairview Avenue in Augusta. He was very active in community events, which included serving many years as president of the Augusta Water District. He was also a director of Augusta Federal Savings Bank and, later, Gardiner Savings Institution, FSB. John was a longtime member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and was honored as a JCI Senator. He also served as a member of the Augusta Planning Commission. John was a member of the Riverside Congregational Church and later South Parish Congregational Church in Augusta, where he served on many committees, including president of the board of trustees. He was a member of the Neguemkeag Masonic Lodge in Vassalboro, Kora Temple Shrine and the Scottish Rite of Augusta. John's professional affiliations included member of the American Right of Way Association, past president of Maine Club Affiliate, member of Southern Kennebec Board of Realtors, member of Maine Association of Realtors, member of National Association of Realtors, member of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers No. 3279, member of the Appraisal Administration and Review Committee of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers (1967-1981), member of the New England Chapter, American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, director (1977-1979), member of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Administrative Committee on Right of Way. John was predeceased by his father in 1969; his mother in 1978; and his twin sons in 1957. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gail Brooks Appleton; his daughter, Terry Lynn Appleton; his sister, Eleanor Appleton O'Connor; two nieces, Margaret O'Connor and Kathryn Scott; and many cousins. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at South Parish Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. Spring burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Burn Hospital for Children, c/o Kora Temple, 11 Sabattus St., Lewiston, ME 04240. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, One Church St., Augusta. Condolences, memories, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.