Jack D. Rankin

jack  rankin

May 16, 1955 ~ April 12, 2026

Born in: Sanford, Maine
Resided in: Sanford, Maine

Jack D. Rankin, 70, of Sanford passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

He was born on May 16, 1955, to Jackie A. Rankin and Gloria (Griffin) Gouin in Sanford. He grew up in both and Sanford and Lebanon and attended schools there.

Jack was employed at Prime Tanning in Berwick for 16 years. When the company closed, the built somemething of his own, founding Rankin Towing and Recovery, a business he took great pride in. He was never one to sit still. From a young age, Jack was always working, always fixing, always building. Even after long days at Prime, he could be found in his garage late into the night, doing what he loved.

In 1978, Jack met the love of his life, Linda Tebbetts. They married shortly after, and while some doubted their young love would last, Jack and Linda proved them all wrong, sharing 47 years of marriage and raising a beautiful family together.

When he wasn’t working, Jack treasured the simple things in life, time spent with Linda,taking drives to the beach and visiting with family.

He was a man known for his loyalty, his honesty, and his big heart. Jack would do anything for anyone, and his kindness extended especially to children and animals.

Jack came from humble and often difficult beginnings, but he made a conscious choice to live a good and honest life. He found joy in simplicity and became a man his family deeply admired and respected.

He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings, his infant brother Steven Rankin, Gloria Nichols, Toni Guillemette, and Linda Goodwin.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Rankin of Sanford, his children, Jeffrey Rankin and his wife Tara of Acton, Amanda Westgate and her husband Reed of Sanford, and Jason Rankin of Sanford, and his cherished grandchildren, Trenton Rankin, Emma and Lyriel Westgate. He is also survived by his siblings, Debra McGrath, Lisa Gilpatrick, Linda Cole, Jeff Rankin,Brian Gouin, Danny Gouin, Robbie Gouin, Raymond Gouin, Donald Gouin and Anna Thomas,as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

A celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Saturday, May 16th, from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Spring Hill Function Hall,117 Pond Rd.
South Berwick, Me 03908. All are welcome.

Those considering an expression of sympathy are asked to consider making a donation on behalf of Jack to Stay;for life at https://www.stayforlife.org/donate/ or and Boston Children’s Hospital,
at https://secure.childrenshospital.org

Services

Celebration of Life: Saturday, May 16, 2026 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Spring Hill
117 Pond Road
South Berwick, Maine


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Charities

The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Jack D. Rankin 's name.

Boston Children's Hospital

secure.childrenshospital.org

Stay;For Life

www.stayforlife.org

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Jack I am at a Loss for words my friend I can’t believe this is real I’m gonna miss you my friend until we meet again ❤️❤️

  2. I can’t believe you’re gone. I will miss how you always recognize my vehicle and hang out your window to wave to me as we drive past each other. Or a random running into each other in parking lots or even in my old driveway when you had to tow my daughter‘s car to Mark motors. We always have entertaining conversations and it’s our quick time to catch up on a little bit of gossip! May you rest easy in heaven, Uncle Jack🙏🏻🪽💕 you will be deeply missed by many.

  3. I can’t believe this is real. I will miss seeing your smiling face at the drive-up on Saturday mornings. Rest easy my friend

  4. You were always such a light in my day. I will always all of our great interactions and laughter. May the family find peace

  5. Always enjoyed your visits, whenever I needed help with anything I could call and you were there, gonna miss you Uncle you were loved by everyone you came in contact with.I love you and gonna miss you

  6. It’s so hard to believe this I just saw you 2 weeks ago at airport variety and was laughing and joking around with you about all the times you had to come tow my vehicles. This is a great loss for our community, my thoughts and prayers are with your family.

  7. I am saddened to hear of Jack’s passing. I have had many wonderful conversations with him every time he dropped of a bill to me at Marc Motors. He was always so kind. My deepest sympathy to his entire family.

  8. Sorry to see you go so soon Brother. We will treasure the memories you’ve given us. May You Rest In Peace. Prayers we send to family and friends. Bob and Denise Gouin

    • I heard of this today at breakfast. It was something that was hard to believe and I didn’t want to believe it was true. I met Jack about 30 years ago at Hartford Truck repair. From that moment onwards, I always looked forward to the next time I got to talk with him. On the street, we knew Jack as an honest man that we could trust. My dad felt the same way. I recently lost my friend Jocelyn and now this. 2 big blows in a short period of time. My mom teaches us to appreciate every second we have with people because we don’t know how suddenly those future seconds might not happen. To Jack’s family, I’m greatly sorry for your loss and wish you didn’t have to feel the great pain of Jack having to move on without us.

  9. So sad to hear of your passing. You will be so missed and you were so loved.prayers for your family. Fly high sweet man

  10. Not many tow companies would drive all the way from Sanford to Gouldsboro Maine starting at 3am to pick up a 68 Charger, but Jack would. Jack loved hotrods and a good challenge! I’m gonna miss our fun together going to get my “dream” cars and the look on my wife’s face every time she heard that back up alarm. God speed brother. Ted

  11. I am so honored to have know a great person with a kind heart and soul!
    I will miss seeing you around and waving to one another 😢
    Rest easy 💔

  12. Me and my father did a lot of business with Jack. He’s always going to be remembered by me and my father as one of the best! My toolbox is my most prized possession, and it’s always been Jack that I trusted to haul it for me. Sad loss im truly sorry to hear this news. My best wishes to his wife and son in this time. Im thankful to have had the opportunity to do business with and consider Jack a friend. RIP Jack.

  13. Jack will be missed met him at Dunkin’ Donuts 5 years ago great guy. We became friends we would chat when he came to moodys he was so nice to let me get my daughters grandmothers ashes necklace out of a car at his yard that ment a lot. Big heart. Rip Jack. And thank you

  14. I have know jack since I worked at V.I.P in sanford over 20 years ago and he was a great friend when ever I needed something towed or my family’s car was still running and was locked out jack was always there jack was an icon to sanford everyone knew him and he was a great friend thank you for.your time great friend R.I.P

  15. Rip jack, thank you for all the ways you looked out for us and checking in after my father passed. Your kindness will be missed dearly.

  16. Jack you will be so missed. I think about you all the time. You are a great person and a great friend

  17. Jason and family,
    I’m so sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. He was a wonderful person with a truly kind heart. I first met him when I started working at my dad’s shop, and he quickly became our go-to for all towing needs. It was always nice running into him around town. I’ll never forget how he would give my son a few dollars for his piggy bank whenever he stopped by—such a thoughtful and generous gesture. He will be greatly missed. Godspeed.

  18. So sorry to learn of this! Praying for your family! We will miss seeing you at Lord’s Clam Box!

  19. Jack was one of the happiest and giving people I know. I originally met him, as he knew my late husband Dan LaChance through the towing industry. Jack is one of the people who helped organize and was a part of the 30 tow trucks and flatbeds that drove behind the funeral car to the cemetery. Jack moved my daughters 81 mustang several times, that she was going to refurbish that was my late husband’s.
    Jack I will miss your smiling face and all ofyour kindness.

  20. My friend, I already miss you! We had some laughs even when it wasn’t funny. I will miss your smile, you were a true gentleman.

  21. May you have Forever Peace within your Heart and Soul Spiritually between you and GOD. HIS Piece that lasts throughout eternity.


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