John Gilman

Newport – John Winthrop Gilman, 76, passed away peacefully in South Portland on June 12, 2026, with his loving wife and son at his side after a hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer. He is the husband of Mary Jane (Hutchinson) Gilman with whom he shared 50 ½ years of marriage.

John was born December 11, 1949, in Dexter, Maine. He is the son of the late John T. and Estelle (Wiseman) Gilman. He was a graduate of Newport Schools and Glen Cove Christian Academy Class of 1968. He also attended Taylor University in Indiana. The Gilman family have resided in Newport since the 1800’s as farmers then on to business owners of the local hardware store. John spent his childhood learning small town values at the hardware store, on Lake Sebasticook, at Orchard View Golf Course, as well as on the local basketball courts and ball fields.

John enlisted in the United States Navy serving during the Vietnam War. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star. After his service, he worked for his brother who owned Gilman Electrical Supply for 40 years until his retirement in 2014.

John had an everlasting dedication to his loving family and will always be remembered as a kind, humble, generous, hardworking man. In his retirement years he enjoyed golfing with his son as well as spending time boating on the lake with family and friends, especially his grandson JJ. He and Mary Jane shared many great adventures and wintered in Arizona for 10 years post-retirement as well.

In addition to his loving wife Mary Jane, John is survived by his son Nicholas T. Gilman and his wife Minh Hoang, his grandson John “JJ” Hoang Gilman, his brothers Goodwin “Goody” O. Gilman and his wife Rosalind, Stephen Jewett and his wife Shirley Jewett, Stepbrother George Phelps and his wife Ginger Phelps, Stepsister Ruth Ann Phelps.

In addition to his parents, John is predeceased by his son John A. Gilman, Sister-in-law Sheila Gilman, and stepmother Hazel Gilman.

John’s graveside service will be in Riverside Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Newport, Maine on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations in John’s memory to the Sebasticook Lake Association. www.Sebasticooklakeassocation.org

Arrangements are in the care of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. To view John’s memorial page or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.