NEW GLOUCESTER- John W. Townsend “Little John” of New Gloucester, age 65, passed away September
17th 2025 at the Gosnell House in Scarborough after a long battle with cancer.
John was born on April 25th 1960 to John C. Townsend “Big John” and Sandra J
(Knight) Townsend. He grew up in Gorham and graduated from Gorham HIgh School.
While in school, John worked with his father at Sebago Lake Garage before taking a job
at Henry L. Hansen. He worked his way up from machine operator to management. In
1999 he established his own machine shop, JT Machine, which was fully operational up
until spring of 2025. John also had a partnership in a second business, GT Tech, with
his lifelong friend; Barry Gammon. Together they invented a very successful plumbing
tool called the Basin Buddy, that they patented and manufactured right at JT Machine.
John’s true passion was stock car racing. In his early years you could find him on any
given Saturday night at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in his black and yellow #37
limited sportsmen or in years following his modified. Much later in life he gave it a whirl
again in his NEMA midget.
For a short time John also got involved racing RC airplanes with the Sky Streakers.
Another huge accomplishment for John was at age 48 he trained hard for multiple years
and completed an IRONMAN at Lake Placid, which consists of a 2.4-mile swim,
112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run all completed in one day.
John is pre-deceased by his mother, Sandra J. (Knight) Townsend, his father, John C.
Townsend and his beloved dog Jenny.
John is survived by his current wife Yuzhi Sun “CoCo” and her daughter Nicole. His
daughter Tabitha (Townsend) Emery and husband Shawn Emery as well as his
grandson Gavin Emery. His sister Tammy (Townsend) Linscott and husband Jeff
Linscott. Along with 2 adopted siblings, cousins, nieces and a nephew.
John requested no funeral service, however a celebration of life will be held on Oct 18th
from 10am-Noon at the South Limington Free Baptist Church, 3 Moody Rd Limington
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations to be made to the Gosnall House in
Scarborough where John and his family received exceptional care during his extended
stay.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com