BRISTOL, Tennessee — John “Butch” Wesley Gamage, 76, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Sunday, May 29, 2022 in Bristol, Tennessee. John was born on November 7, 1945 in Rockland, Maine, to parents John and Agnes Johnson Gamage.

John attended local schools and was a graduate of Rockland High School class of 1964. John enlisted in the United States Army right out of high school and was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged from the army in 1967 and resided in Kentucky for many years while raising a family there.

John also re-enlisted in the Army in 1970 for a three-year period and was able to serve as his uncle Ray’s company clerk. A job he was always most proud of.

Always wanting to be back in Midcoast Maine he moved to Rockland and was employed at The National Sea Products Shipyard along with many of the Gamage family. After leaving the shipyard John moved to Dresden, Maine, built a house, raised a second family, and worked at Bath Iron Works as an electrician, retiring from there after 20 years of employment.

John’s favorite past times were fishing and a good day for him was sitting in a boat, which he could do for hours on end with a “geetar” in his hand singing to the fish that he was hoping to catch. He also enjoyed video gaming, playing the banjo, and harmonica, and singing old country songs. Family was most important to him and he always enjoyed having family around.

One of John’s favorite quotes was: “If I can’t put a smile on someone’s face by the end of the day, then my day is not complete.” All who knew him would say—he did that well!

John never loved the cold winter months of Maine so he and Nancy moved to Tennessee and enjoyed retirement.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Nancy of Jonesborough, Tennessee; and his daughters Robin (Darrin) Kistuline, and Dawn (Tim) Tinsley, both of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Lori (Rob) Armstrong of Brunswick, Maine, Hannah (Shane) Rasnick of Telford, Tennessee; son John (Angel) Gamage of Gardiner, Maine; along with a stepson Chris Richardson of Portland, Maine, and his special “gamer son” Brandon Parsons of Maryland.

John is also survived by his sister, Bernice “Bunny” Gieseman of Warren, Maine; his brothers James Gamage and loving partner Holly Carlson of St. George, Maine, Richard (Heidi) Gamage of Rockland, Maine and Ronald (Jackie) Gamage of Thomaston, Maine; along with 18 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

John was predeceased by his parents; the mother of his children, Velma Gerry Gamage; and a son, John Gamage, Jr.

A memorial service will be held for John on Saturday, June 11, from 12 to 2 p.m., at the Thomaston Masonic Temple, Main Street. All are welcome to attend. A private burial will be held following the service for John where he will be buried alongside his parents in the Village Cemetery, Thomaston.

Hall Funeral and Cremation Services of Thomaston has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences to John’s family please visit his Book of Memories at hallfuneralhomes.com.