John Clifford Rideout Jr.

John Clifford Rideout Jr. was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on March 13, 2023 at the age of 92 in Jacksonville, North Carolina. In heavenly slumber, he reunites with the love of his life, his late wife Carmie, where they will remain forever entwined in eternal peace. John was born in Boston, Massachusetts on December 30, 1930 to John Clifford Rideout Sr. and Ruby Lewis. His early life was vibrant, surrounded by his eleven siblings: the late Alice, Shirley, Bobby, Georgie, Charlie, Linda, Helen, and Ruby - and the surviving Donald, Winnie, and Sandra. Dedicated and ambitious, a young John joined the U.S. Army in 1948 to serve and protect his country. He was stationed in Fort Knox, Kentucky where he met Carmie Rideout (nee Zimmerman), with whom he would spend the next 70 years building a beautiful, fulfilling life. Shortly after their matrimony, John served in Germany during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to civilian life and became an electrician. John and Carmie moved to New Jersey to begin their family before eventually settling down in Boston, Massachusetts. After raising five wonderful children together, and after retiring from Newton-Wellesley Hospital, the couple retired to Norway, Maine in 2005 to watch their children grow families of their own. Although known in public as John, his family knew him by many other names: Dad, Papa, Umpa, Gramps, and Sonny - just to name a few. Quiet and kind, John deeply loved his family and always had a smile on his face when he was around them. He is survived by his three loving daughters - Constance (Connie) Lamattina, Helen Occhipinti and Linda Rideout - as well as ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He joins Carmie and both of their sons, Daniel (Danny) Rideout and John (Johnny) Clifford Rideout III in Heaven. Music was one of John's happiest hobbies, a passion he shared with his wife. He loved to sing and could often be found performing on karaoke nights. His humming and singing would vibrate through the walls of the house or float through the window as he worked in the yard. During his days of leisure, he would play bluegrass music or watch old Western films, corralling his wife and children to join him. John loved taking his beloved Carmie on dates to the dump, to Legion bingo nights, and to the casino ("but not too often", of course). John and Carmie were both very active with the American Legion post in Norway, Maine, with both serving on committees and holding many positions and roles there. Together, they liked to ride the back roads of Maine in his truck, and would whip around what he affectionately named "Carmie's Corner" on their way to B.J.'s. In their later years, the two would sit at the kitchen table with a box of donuts or coffee cakes, gazing out the window at the singing birds in their yard. While Carmie often would greet the birds with songs of her own, John would hum along to the sound of his beloved's voice - a testament to his supportive and powerful nature. There are not enough words to describe the man that John was, for the love and time he dedicated to those around him. A force to be reckoned with, his presence was permeable when he entered a room. Above all, however, he was a gentle soul, firmly rooted in relationship with the Lord. His tenderness can be seen in his children, and the children of his children, and the children of his children's children; they all carry a piece of his warm smile in their hearts. He will be deeply missed, but his family takes comfort in knowing he will be reunited with Carmie. You are so profoundly loved and missed, Dad/Papa/Umpa/Sonny - Rest in Eternal Peace. Visiting hours in the Pushard Family Funeral Home 210 Sherman St., Canton on Friday, March 24th from 9-11 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment, National Cemetery Bourne at 130.

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