Carter, John Robert, 54, Harpswell; in Auburn, May 4, 2009. Arrangements are by Stetson’s Funeral Home, Brunswick, ME.
HARPSWELL – John Carter, 54, passed away May 4, 2009, at the Hospice House in Auburn, Maine. He was born in Presque Isle, Maine on June 22, 1954, the son of Robert and Ethel Carter. He attended Presque Isle High School where he participated in basketball and the marching band. John graduated from the University of Maine – Presque Isle in 1976 with a degree in Political Science. 
He married Sandra Stark on February 14, 1981 to begin a 28 year marriage filled with cherished moments. Their daughter Kelly was born on March 17, 1983.
After settling in Brunswick, Maine in 1978, he became a manager of the Bowdoin Steakhouse. John started a career in carpentry in 1981 and became a residential construction supervisor for IBIS Construction in 1985. He went on to start his own business as Carter Builders, Inc. contracting for residential and light commercial construction services until 2007 when illness prevented him from working.
John was a devoted husband and father and shared a special bond with his daughter. John enjoyed involvement with his community of Cundy’s Harbor and Harpswell. He was an avid hunter and passionate fly fisherman, pursuits he began as a young boy with his father and brother. There were few things he enjoyed more than fishing the streams, ponds, and lakes of Maine and particularly the salt waters around Harpswell for striped bass. He also enjoyed hunting in the northern Maine woods with the same group of friends every fall for 31 years. He brought kindness and happiness to everyone he touched. John cherished the priceless treasures of life. His humor and sparkling wit will be missed by all who knew him.
John is survived by his wife, Sandra of Harpswell; daughter, Kelly of Portland; his father, Robert Carter of South Berwick; his brother, Ron Carter of Franklin, Tennessee; and his sister, Diane Collins of Presque Isle. He is predeceased by his mother, Ethel and sister Cathy Mellis.
A memorial service was held 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Parish Church, Main St., Brunswick with Rev. Winston Baldwin officiating. His family and friends would like to thank the kind people of CHANS, the Cancer Center of Mid Coast Hospital, and the Hospice House of Auburn for their devoted care and support during John’s long illness. Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice House, 236 Stetsons Road, Auburn, ME 04210. Arrangements are by Stetson’s Funeral Home, 12 Federal Street, Brunswick, ME 04011 and memorial condolences may be expressed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com.
