John Gordon Dixon Jr. Obituary (1942

West Mount Vernon-John Gordon Dixon, Jr., 73, of West Mount Vernon, died July 16, 2015. A devoted family man, he lived the life of a traveling manufacturers' representative for several clothing and accessories manufacturers. His territory included the state of New York and all of New England, where he enjoyed meeting the owners of many fine clothing stores. More than anything, however, he relished his role as father and husband to his very close-knit family. He was devoted to his wife, Millie, with whom he celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 4th. Over the years he would take to the woods with one or more of his five children, showing them the wonders of hunting and just plain enjoying the beauty of Maine. As they spread their wings and married, then moved to their own homes, John would be there with hammer, saw and other tools helping them make repairs and renovations. Born on July 15, 1942 in Elizabeth, NJ, he was the first child of Kathleen (McManus) and John Gordon Dixon. John was raised mostly in Rumson, NJ, where he attended Holy Cross School and Rumson High School. John and his family spent most of their summers on Great Pond in Belgrade Lakes where he developed his love of Maine. After attending Monmouth College in NJ for a semester, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in September of 1962. He served in active duty as a radio operator and repairman during the U.S involvement in the Dominican Republic. John was very proud of his service and of the medals he received during the years until he was honorably discharged in September 1965. John married Mildred Louise Campbell in 1965. They lived in Monmouth Beach, NJ while John commuted to New York City where he worked for L. Grief & Bros. The couple had 5 children before they set off to Maine in 1974. They first settled in Waterville where John worked for the Hathaway Shirt Company and later Bass Shoe Company. In 1976 they bought their beautiful Maine farm in West Mount Vernon, where they happily lived ever since. Millie cared for the children and then grandchildren as well as her beautiful gardens while John traveled his territory selling his high quality clothing and accessories. John is predeceased by his parents and his son-in-law, Richard Hall. He is survived by his wife Millie; son John and wife Christine of Bangor, ME; son Chief Engineer Campbell Dixon and his wife Captain Lisa Dixon of Vienna, ME; daughter Tammy and her husband James Josephs of Limerick, ME; daughter Julie Hall of Mount Vernon, ME; daughter Nancy and her husband Dr. Mark Rondeau of Cherry Hill, NJ; sisters Nancy Dixon Welch of Tortola, BVI, Katherine 'Kate' Dixon Rose of Sausalito, CA, and Helen Young 'Hydi' Dixon of Kennebunk, ME; and brothers Peter B. Dixon of Atlantic Highlands, NJ, Stephen P. Dixon of Newcastle, ME, and Edward A. Dixon of Scituate, MA. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, July 25, 2015 in Robinson Cemetery, Mount Vernon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to John’s favorite charitable recipient: Maine Maritime Academy The Harold Alfond Engineering Scholarship Fund Maine Maritime Academy Development Office Pleasant Street Castine, ME 04420 or visit http://mainemaritime.edu/ and click on “SUPPORT MMA”. Arrangements are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, where condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com