John R. McKechnie

Biddeford

John R. McKechnie, 60, of Biddeford, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2022, at Southridge Rehabilitation and Living Center after many years of declining health.

John was born in Farmington, Maine on April 6, 1962, a son of Richard and Levina (Webber) McKechnie.  When John was still very young his family relocated to Fairfield, where he was educated in the Fairfield School System spending some time in the Student Exchange program to France.  He went on to receive a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Business Management from the University of Maine at Orono and the University of Maine at Augusta.

Prior to John's illness he was employed for many years with United Parcel Service.

One of John's passions was working on an exchange program for students to be able to experience other areas of the country and other cultures.  He wanted to develop an easy system where youth from the north could live with a family in the south, or youth from the big city could experience life in more rural settings.  This work also was cut short due to John's illness.

John also had a love for music and singing.  He knew the words to a whole host of songs, and when asked he was able to give details on music artists and genres. He loved speaking French, the book The Little Prince, watching sports especially the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots, and playing cards.

John will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Levina McKechnie; his brother Lester George McKechnie; and his brother-in-law Robert Wittich.

He is survived his daughter, Amanda Jayde LaBelle and husband Travis; his two granddaughters, Jayde Emily LaBelle and Gabriella Rose LaBelle; his four sisters, Judith Clark and husband Gary of Calais, Sherri Neri and husband David of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Lucinda Wittich of Hawk Point, Missouri, and Terry DenAdel and husband Robert of Nashville, Tennessee; one sister-in-law, Sharon McKechnie of Waterville, one aunt, Nada Grant of Skowhegan and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and cousins.

No services are planned at this time.

To view John's memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com