After school he joined the US Navy in August 1953. After Recruit Training in Bainbridge, MD and “Electrician’s “A” School in Great Lakes, IL he was assigned to the icebreaker, USS Atka (AGB-3) several other ships:  USS Miller(DD-585), USS Hazelwood (DD-531), USS Compton(DD-705), Service Craft, Portsmouth, NH,  Electricians ”B” School, Great Lakes, IL, USS Fairfax County (LST-1093), USS L Y Spear (AS-36) and Supervisor  Shipbuilding and Repair (SUPSHIP Boston) where he retired in November 1979 after 26 years of naval service as a Chief Electricians Mate.

 

John married Loretta Lynne Dedrick in 1959 and they had four children together and a step-daughter. The marriage ended after 22 years.  In 1984 John married his present wife, Gail Marie ( Loveday) Benton, and gained 3 more step-daughters.

 

Upon John’s retirement from the Navy and due to John’s present wife still being on active duty with the US Navy, John worked as a Senior Electrical Designer for several defense contractors across the country. They included CD I Marine Corp, Norwell, MA, PRC Gorelnick /Envisons Engineering Companies,  Chula Vista, CA, ROH, Arlington, VA (Technical Writer), Rosenbladt and Sons, San Diego, CA, Philadelphia Shipyard, PA,  Atlantic Ordnance, Norfolk, VA, CDI Marine Corp, Newport News, VA and  CDI Marine Corp, Portsmouth, VA where he retired in 2002. 

 

When John retired from CDI he and Gail sold their home in Virginia Beach, VA and become full-time RVers.  They traveled the country (mostly on the west coast) for a couple of years and then moved to Titusville, FL.  They remained full-time RVers for about ten more years, then finally purchased a home in Titusville, FL. 

 

John was a lifelong roller skater, having skating in his younger days he quit in his 20’s when he joined the military and to raise his family. He rediscovered the sport while stationed in the Norfolk, VA area in the 1970s and it became his passion.  He and his wife, Gail were a competitive dance team and won many Regional titles and placements and were finalists at the US National Roller Skating Championships.  He continued to skate for the enjoyment after the competitive years were done.  He gave back to the sport as an Achievement Test and Competitive judge, referee and tabulator.  He received the Meritorious Service Award from USA Roller Sports for redrawing and computerizing all the present and new dance diagrams. 

 

John was a member of the American Society of Naval Engineers (ANSE), Naval Institute, American Legion, Post 65, Dorchester, MA, Florida Chief Petty Officer’s Association (FLCPOA), Roller Skating Association International (RSA), and USA Roller Sports.

 

He is survived by his wife, Gail;  sister, Anne Jamesina (Easton) Curry, Shirley, MA;  sons John Douglas Easton, Jr, Weymouth, MA and  Robert Charles Easton, Savannah, GA;  daughters Lisa Jean Easton, Meredith, NH, Alison Lynne (Easton) Wierl, Altmannstein, Germany;  step-daughters, Dawn Marie Zaniboni, Brockton, MA, Kelly Anne (Benton), Wilhelm, Monson, ME, Michele Marie (Benton) Peters,  Houma, LA, and Joanne Christine (Benton) Hetland, Myrtle Beach, SC; 13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren; several cousins, nieces and nephews,

 

Relatives and friends may call on January 31, 2024 (Wednesday) beginning at 9 AM to the O'Neill Funeral Home, 59 Peirce Streeet (corner of School Street) Middleboro.  Funeral services will follow at 11 AM in the Church of Our Saviour, 120 Centre Street, Middleboro.  Interment Massachusetts National Cemetery at 1:15 PM. 

 

Fair winds and following seas, my love.