Jon Stafford Mitchell Jr.

Jon was born in Rochester, NH, on September 29, 1964, the first of seven children born to Jon Stafford Mitchell, Sr. and Sharon Lee (Cote-Mitchell) Putnam. He grew up in Portland and attended Portland schools, graduating from Deering High School in 1983. As a youngster, Jon held a lobster fisherman's license and hauled traps in Casco Bay. He was a 33 year veteran of Bath Iron Works, where he worked as a Tinsmith and a well respected Union Representative Local S6 of the IAM International.

Jon was a loyal friend – quiet, intelligent and curious - with a wonderful sense of humor. He had a unique perspective on life: An artist at heart, he was a great storyteller who entertained friends and family with hilarious anecdotes of the most mundane goings on of everyday life. He enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, boating, and fishing. He loved all animals and raised reptiles and turtles - he even tried his hand at beekeeping prior to the accelerated progression of his illness.

Jon leaves behind his high school sweetheart and wife of 33 years, Deana J. (Flaherty) Mitchell of Windham, their three dogs Emma, CoCo, Olive and his turtle, Fluffy. He is also survived by his mother, Sharon Putnam, of Westbrook; his father and step-mother, Jon and Linda Mitchell, of Dayton; a sister, Mary Levine, and her husband, Michael, of Westbrook; a brother, Larry Mitchell, and his wife, Valerie, of Old Town; a brother, Samuel Mitchell, and his wife, Laurie, of South Portland; a brother, Thomas Mitchell, and his partner, Erin Mussenden, of Portland, and several nieces and nephews. Jon is predeceased by a brother, Paul Mitchell, a sister, Amanda Nashawaty, and a stepbrother, Matthew Frechette.

A graveside service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, in Portland, on Tuesday, May 23, at 1:00 p.m. A celebration of life will follow at Bruno's Restaurant, 33 Allen Avenue, in Portland, from 2:00-4:00 p.m.