John E. Garnsey

John E. Garnsey died peacefully in his home in Wolfeboro, NH, with his beloved family present on May 8, 2004 of pancreatic cancer.He was born October 1, 1924 in Sanford Maine. He graduated from New Hampton Prep School in 1941 and later attended the University of New Hampshire as part of the ROTC Land Grant School, but later resigned to become a pilot for the U.S. Naval Air Station.John proved himself as a gifted pilot and earned the rating to fly many types of aircraft including SPD dive-bombers, torpedo bombers, Seimans, and P51 Mustangs. He trained at various airfields, ultimately ending up at Pensacola, Florida as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. After the war he returned to the University of New Hampshire and received a Bachelor of Science in Economics.After graduation, John returned to Sanford in 1948 to marry Joan Elliot and join his brother Bud as a partner in Garnsey Bros. Insurance. Forty-two years later he retired, leaving his son Jack and two other partners to continue the family business. After retirement he divided his time between his summer home on Lake Winnipesaukee where he was a member of Kingswood Golf Club, and wintered in Estero, Florida, where he enjoyed golf and volunteered for the Ft. Myers Sheriff's Dept. He also found the time to return to flight school and earn his helicopter rating.John was an avid skier and also had a home on the slopes of Sugarloaf USA where his grandchildren also learned to be avid skiers. He has skied all over the world. From helicopter skiing in British Columbia where he logged over 1 million vertical feet, to the European Alps where he sponsored several trips through his travel agency.Jon took an active part in his community and expressed his interests through involvement. He volunteered for the Sanford Fire Department, served as president of the Sanford Kiwanis Club, a member of the Sanford Chamber of Commerce, and an active member in the Sanford Development Corporation.John was ahead of his time building some of the first condominiums in the State of Maine, along with many single-family housing developments. He developed a real-estate operation in Moody Point, Wells, along with a travel agency.He is survived by his wife, Joan Elliot Garnsey and three children: Judy Sevigny, Janet Hill, and Jack Garnsey" nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.There will be a 2:00 PM memorial service Friday May 14th at Curtis Lake Christian Church, Westview Drive, Sanford, ME. If desired, memorial donations may be made in his memory to VNA Hospice of Southern Carroll County, P.O. Box 1620, Wolfeboro, NH 03894.