Former Sitka resident John Standerwick died of cancer April 16, 2016, in Port Angeles, Wash. He was 80.
John Standerwick
A celebration of his life was held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on April 20, with the Rev. Gail Wheatley officiating.
An inurnment will be held 3 p.m. June 8, at St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Sitka.
John was born April 22, 1935, in New York City, the son of John and Ruth (Capp) Standerwick. He grew up in Shatham, N.J., and graduated from the University of Maine.
He and Donna Chadbourne were married June 8, 1957, in Bangor, Maine.
John was with the U.S. Forest Service, and the family headed west to Washington state. In October 1961, the Standerwicks came to Sitka. They left in 1964 but returned in 1973 and remained until 1983, when they moved to Juneau.
In Sitka, John was on the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church vestry. He also was a member of the Trap Club, and took part in Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club events.
He liked hunting and fishing, and trap shooting, and was a lifelong Model Railroad enthusiast.
In 1990, John retired from the Forest Service after 30 years, and the Standerwicks moved to Port Angeles.
John is survived by his wife, Donna, of Port Angeles; sons Tom Standerwick and his wife Danielle, of Idaho City, Idaho, David Standerwick and his wife Michelle of Redmond, Ore., and Douglas Standerwick and his wife Anne of Juneau; daughters Mary Ledbetter and her husband Mark of Travelers Rest, S.C., and Jean Butler and her husband Matt of Port Angeles; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
The love of this family for John was best expressed by his granddaughter Bailey: “My grandfather was one of the strongest people I had ever known. He was a man of God. A man who stood up when others sat down. On April 16, he finally laid down for the last time. He has gone home to be with Josh, Gabe and the rest of our family sitting at the hand of God. He has been called home to rest. To watch over our family from above. Today and always he is at peace. The love and admiration I felt for this very special man in my life will never be forgotten. My memories and love will live on forever. May he rest in peace and go with God.”