John Francis Ridge

John Francis Ridge, 79
SOUTH PORTLAND - John Francis Ridge, 79, of South Portland, passed away unexpectedly, on Aug. 21, 2017, of natural causes.
John was born in South Portland, the oldest of three children born to Catherine Smith Ridge and John J. Ridge. He attended South Portland schools, and graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1960, where he was a fraternity brother of Phi Mu Delta. He proudly served his country as a lieutenant in the United States Army and then in April 1962 he married Ann Hebert Ridge, who would remain his partner for 55 years. He settled in Cape Elizabeth for 43 years and grew the family business founded by his father, Ridge Oil Company.
Throughout his life, John was very active in the community serving on the School Board, Zoning Board, Planning Board, Town Council, and other committees.
John's civic volunteerism included such organizations as the Jaycees, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, the Lions Club and a docent at the South Portland Historical Society.
In recent years, John was involved in the start-up of the think tank group, Issues and Solutions.
John is survived by his wife, Ann Ridge; son, Douglas Ridge, and wife Joanne, of Alexandria, Va.; daughter, Holly Buonaiuto, and husband Andrew, of Cape Elizabeth; and son, Thomas Ridge, of Miami, Fla.; sister, Jean Maiorano, and husband Guy, of South Portland; sister Ellen Kemp, and husband Robert, of Charlotte, N.C.; and grandchildren, John and Eily Ridge, and Thomas and Mary Rose Buonaiuto.
The visitation will be held Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, between 10-11:30 a.m. at
Hobbs Funeral Home,
230 Cottage Rd., South Portland. Funeral service will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by the burial at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

Memorial donations may be made:
Bowery Beach School
Building Maintenance Trust
Cape Elizabeth Lions Club
P.O. Box 6302
Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107