John Dyett, dear friend of people young and old; pigs, cows, chickens and trees; and passionate outdoorsman, died peacefully at his home in South Portland on the evening of Saturday, December 23rd. He leaves behind his two sons, John and Jason, his ladylove Kathy, three grandsons, Jack, Scott and Thomas and a wildly varied group of family and friends – from anonymous dog-walkers on Willard Beach to exchange students from Uruguay and Mexico.

Whether asking an eight-year-old to contribute his plastic turtle to the emerging landscape on the hood of his 1982 pickup or wooing an 84-year-old senior onto the dance floor for the first time, John never shied away from a conversation or an adventure.

Childhood camping and fishing in the Adirondack mountains with family and friends sparked his lifelong engagement with the outdoors. Raised in Rome, New York with his brother, Tom, and sister, Kirk, John graduated from Hobart College in 1968. John then moved to Massachusetts, where he built on his experiences at Outward Bound by establishing alternative education programs for elementary school and special needs children.

During the decade that he lived on a mountain in Greenfield, NH, John honed his carpentry, wood-splitting, and outdoor survival skills with Deeogee (dog and ever-present friend), Oink (pig and camping companion), and Butterfly (cow and dinner). His distinctive voice blended with the sounds of the a cappella singing group, the Local Vocals. And his strong sense of community created the locally broadcasted talent show, “Opportunity Knocks”. A man whose home was the Universe, John also lived at times in New Mexico and Florida, accompanied by his camper, the infamous Turtle.

With many friendships in tow and wild experiences behind him, John finally settled in Portland, Maine. Drawn by the seasonal beauty of the Northeast and Maine’s rugged and rocky coast, he rapidly acquired new friends, explored the islands of Casco Bay by sailboat and kayak, and pursued his interests in gardening, biking, photography, sculpture and poetry.

A creative community agitator, John had a special interest in projects that connected different generations, or that immersed people in unfamiliar experiences that challenged assumptions. He was curious about other cultures, traveling frequently to Mexico, Central America and Peru, where he enjoyed living with local families and learning to speak Spanish.

As John embarks on his newest journey, we will be warmed, saddened, and kept company by the many vivid memories generated by his large heart, unique approach to life and tireless energy. We will celebrate his life at a ceremony in the Portland area in the spring of 2007.