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Capt. Fairbanks Obituary
Capt. JOHN FAIRBANKS USN (ret.)
Peacefully passed away while surrounded by family on Sunday October 30, 2022, at the age of 90. John was preceded in death by his wife, Marge, in 2004, and his brother James in 2016. He is survived by his four children and six grandchildren.
John was born on November 21, 1931, and was raised in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. He graduated from the Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) in 1952 and volunteered for service in the United States Navy during the Korean War. After which he attended Stanford University and obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering. On December 8, 1956, John married Marjorie Bornhausen. They raised four children in Rockville, MD. Carolyn (Steven) Stokes of Olney, John Jr. of Rockville, Steven (Mary) of Potomac, and David of Germantown.
John served for 32 years in the Navy and the Naval Reserves. He worked as an engineer for the NASA-Goddard Spaceflight Center and the Department of Energy for 52 years before finally retiring at the age of 82.
He is a member of the MMA Athletic Hall of Fame where he starred in football and baseball. John spent years coaching his children in various sports and he spent many more years on the sidelines, camera in tow, photographing his grandchildren on athletic fields across the DC area.
While John had a tremendous passion for travel, he remained a Mainer through and through. He relished family vacations to the Maine beaches and considered the chilly ocean water refreshing. He was a dedicated supporter of his alma mater, MMA, where he was the recipient of the 1975 Outstanding Alumni Award and is a proud member of their Wall of Honor.
Services private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to his beloved MMA Football Program—https://mainemaritime.edu/giving/.
Please sign the family online guestbook at
www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Capt. Fairbanks
1 Entry
Dr Bryan Hall
January 8, 2024
John was my oldest fried, I wish I had know, I suspected something was amiss when he sent me photographs of himself with Sir Frank Little, the inventor of the Jet engine, His family ought to have been given it. Would love to hear from Daughter who stayed with us in England or son who also visited , Jack .?
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