HOPE — Retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer John T. Wilson, 80, of Hope, passed away Dec. 27, 2012, at the Maine Veteran's Home in Augusta after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Born in Newark, N.J., May 6, 1932, Ted was the son of Col. John T. and Elsie (Hay) Wilson and was a class of 1949 graduate of Camden High School. On Sept. 4, 1954, he married Lorriane A. Zahansky in Willimantic, Conn.

Ted proudly served in the Navy from July 17, 1950, to April 23, 1970, during the Korean conflict and in Viet Nam. The recipient of several medals, Ted was especially proud of the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross, received for his service with River Division #521. His military career was primarily in the engine rooms of diesel powered submarines including the USS CERO, USS TIRANTE, USS ATULE, USS DARTER, USS ARGONAUT, USS GRAMPUS, USS SEA LEOPARD, and the USS SUFFOLK COUNTY. After completing seven patrols on the SAM HOUSTON, Ted was transferred to New London, Conn., where he was an instructor of refrigeration and air conditioning at the U.S. Navy Submarine School Advanced Engineering Department. In 1970, he retired from the Navy and went to work at Connecticut College, where he maintained the refrigeration and air conditioning systems at the campus. He also worked at Electric Boat in Groton for three years as a planner.

In July 1977, Ted and Lorraine returned to the Wilson family farm in Hope and went to work at Wayfarer Marine as a mechanic. At that time, there were few mechanics with his ability, so Ted's talents were utilized at several other local boat yards including Rockport Marine, Lyman Morse Boatbuilding and others.

Ted had been a volunteer driver for the DAV at Togus and for many years, and faithfully wrote letters to service men and women while serving in the military. He monitored the water on Hobbs Pond as a volunteer for the state of Maine for 25 years. He enjoyed his daily three-mile walks, snowmobiling, fishing, wildlife, feeding the birds, and building a nest for the loons to lay their eggs on the shore of Hobbs Pond. Ted also gave back to his community in serving as town selectman and code enforcement officer for the town of Hope, and had been a former school board member.

Surviving is his wife of 58 years, Lorraine A. Wilson of Hope; three children, Debra Evans of Connecticutt, Jay Wilson and his wife, Cathy, of Hope, Gary Wilson and his wife, Martha, of Arizona; two grandchildren, Taylor Wilson and Michelle Evans; and his beloved yellow lab, Kobi and cat, Heidi. He was predeceased by his son, Derek Wilson, who died in 1996 while serving in the U.S. Marines.

In keeping with his wishes, a memorial gathering will be held at the convenience of the family. If desired, memorial donations may be made in his memory to P.A.W.S., P.O. Box 707, Rockport, ME 04856.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the Wilson family by visiting their book of memories at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Camden.