John Earl Rice

Bath - John Rice, 75, of Bath, passed away at home early in the morning of June 16, 2025, after a prolonged period of declining health.

He was born on June 12, 1950, in Ellsworth, the oldest of four sons of Henry and Jeannette (McLoy) Rice. He attended Woolwich Central School and Morse High School, where he played baseball for three years before graduating in 1968.

On May 15, 1971, he married Ellen Hinds, and not long afterward they greeted sons Derek and Michael.

Having married and started a family so young, John and Ellen often said they grew up together. They were best friends who enjoyed many of the same things, such as word puzzles, crime dramas, “Beachfront Bargain Hunt,” and biking on the carriage trails on Mount Desert Island in the summer and early fall – particularly the trail around Eagle Lake and its many offshoots.

John was a highly competent handyman. In the pre-YouTube era, he was a living how-to guide. If you needed to know how to fix a carburetor, strip and refinish hardwood floors, rewire a light fixture, or any number of things, John was your guy, and he got tremendous pleasure out of sharing his knowledge.

He also had an almost legendary knack for being able to put his hand on just the tool or piece of wood he needed exactly when he needed it. Even when he was bed-ridden toward the end of his life, he could tell you precisely where to find a specific tool in the garage.

To call John an avid golfer would be an understatement. When he no longer had the strength to play a full round, he could often be found on the putting green at Bath Golf Club, hustling fellow golfers for a dollar a putt. He had a quick wit and could always make people laugh –  especially his grandchildren – right up until his last day.

He was predeceased by his parents and brothers David, Scott, and Kevin.

John is survived by Ellen, his wife of 54 years, sons Derek and his wife, Erin, of Kennebunk, and Michael and his wife, Sarah Correia, of Falmouth, grandchildren Juliet, Henry, and Poppy, brother- and sister-in-law Dale and Beverly Hinds of Phippsburg, brother-in-law David Hinds of Apex, N.C., and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank CHANS Home Healthcare and Hospice for their incredible support over the past several months. Their presence was a source of comfort for both John and Ellen.

A memorial service and celebration of life are planned for July 12. The family will share full details at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to CHANS.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Earl Rice, please visit our floral store.