Sadness

Jason left this morning for the States.  We got the call yesterday that his Dad was not doing well and that Jason should come home as soon as possible.  We rushed around to find a flight to get back to the States but the earliest flight we could get was this morning, departing out of Prague at 8am arriving in Boston at 4pm Boston time.  Unfortunately it wasn't fast enough.  Jason's dad passed away last night (prague time).  Please keep Jason and our family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  We all have a lot of fond memories of Didon (our affectionate name for his dad) and I hope that we can remember these funny stories and celebrate his life during our sadness.

Obituary from Adams-McFarlane Funeral Home:

Jonathan Richard Luce (1938-2010)

Jonathan Richard Luce, a resident of Farmington, Maine for most of his life, passed away on Monday, March 22, 2010 at Franklin Memorial Hospital after a long illness.

Born in Farmington in 1938, Jon was a descendant through his mother, Rachel Norton Luce, as well as his father, C. Richard Luce, of two of the original founding families of the Farmington area. 

Jon attended both Farmington High and Kents Hill School, from which he graduated in 1956.

After serving in the U.S. Army, based in France, he graduated from University of Maine at Orono and then the University of Maine Law School.

On returning to Farmington after law school, Jon founded a law practice on Main Street. His law office was one of the most diversified and successful practices in Franklin County. Jon also found time to serve part-time as County Clerk of Courts from 1968 to 1970. From 1971 through 1974, he served as County Attorney for Franklin County, the last before institution of the full time District Attorney system.

Throughout the 1970's and into the early 1980's, Jon was legal counsel for the Town of Farmington, where he also served on a number of its committees including as Chair of the Farmington Budget Committee. In the early 1990's, Jon served on the Farmington Board of Selectman, including a year as its Chair. He also owned the Colonial Valley Motel on the Wilton Road.

Jon was actively involved with the local Lions Club, the Elks and the Masonic Lodge, as well as the Volunteer Fire Department of West Farmington.

In earlier years, Jon was an avid skier, golfer and tennis player, but his lifelong passion was boating. From a childhood spent at his parents' summer cottage on Boothbay Harbor to a succession of sailboats and powerboats he owned and enjoyed with his family throughout his adult life, Jon was never happier than when enjoying the ocean with his family. When not actively boating, Jon enjoyed reading about boats and boat design, and planning future cruises.

Jonathan's family and friends will remember him for his energy, love of life, and irreverent sense of humor.

Jon is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara, six children and step-children, and twelve grand-children as well as a sister, Suzanne Twitchell. Additionally, he was predeceased by his brothers Roger and G. Norton Luce.

A memorial service will be held at the West Farmington Elks at 126 School Street on Friday, March 26 from 4pm to 7pm. Donations in Jonathan's memory may be made to Franklin County Animal Shelter, 550 Industry Road, Farmington 04938. Arrangements under the direction of Adams~McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington.