1926 – 2019

John Leif Jorgensen died June 12, 2019, at his home in Phippsburg.  He was 93.

John was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on January 30, 1926, and was educated in the schools there.

As a teenager, he endured the Nazi occupation during World War II.  Following the war, he enlisted in the Royal Danish Army and served with the Danish Occupation Force in northern Germany.

John arrived in the United States in 1951 as Assistant to the Military Attaché at the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington, D.C.  He left the embassy, having served for 3 years, and moved to New York City, where he lived and worked until moving to Maine in 1957.  He became a United States citizen that same year.

John settled in Arrowsic, taking a position in Brunswick as executive secretary of the Chamber of Commerce.  He went on to a long career in manufacturing and food processing, including managerial positions at Auerbach Shoe, Hillcrest Foods, and Stinson Canning. He served as selectman in Arrowsic for more than 5 years, stepping down in 1978.   Reaching retirement age, John found a second career in outside sales, working for Fox Lumber and Marriner Lumber, finally retiring from Hancock Lumber at the age of 79.   His abundant energy, outgoing personality and genuine interest in the folks he met made him a natural for each assignment he took on.

John was a fine craftsman, and enjoyed designing and building furniture and creating stained glass.

He was a superb host and chef, and relished excellent food.  He loved boats and was a familiar presence on the Kennebec and back waterways.

John was predeceased by his parents, Einar and Nikoline Jorgensen, and one sister Inger Holm, of Copenhagen.  He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Karen Stevens Jorgensen, his daughter, Jenny Jorgensen and her spouse John Van Orden of West Bath, his two sons, Mark Jorgensen and his spouse DeeDee Morse of Arrowsic  and Erik Jorgensen and his spouse Dina of Chesapeake, Virginia, two grandsons, Ryan Jorgensen and his spouse Sarah, and Alex Jorgensen, one great granddaughter, Carter Grace Jorgensen, and 3 generations of nieces and nephews in Denmark and the U.S.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory may be made to the Phippsburg Rescue Department, P. O. Box 83, Phippsburg, ME 04562.

Arrangements are by Daigle Funeral Home, 819 High Street, Bath.  Condolences may be made online at www.Daiglefuneralhome.com.

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