SSG. Johnathon Daniel Maine, of the United States Army, age 26, passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth, Massachusetts, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Gardner, Massachusetts on January 31, 1998, he was the son of Daniel Robert Maine and Ashley Rose (LaDeau) Couture. John was raised in Winchendon, Massachusetts, where, as a young boy, he found his love for the outdoors. He could be found hiking the local trails with his Dad, casting a fishing line into the water, or working on vehicles with his stepfather, Henry. After completing his elementary education in Winchendon, John graduated from Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School in Fitchburg, Massachusetts with the Class of 2016 with his journeyman automotive technician certificate.
Following his graduation, John enlisted in the United States Army, proudly volunteering to serve his country. After successfully completing basic training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, John transferred into his advanced individual training school at Fort Gordon in Georgia, focusing on satellite communication. Throughout his time in the Army, John made countless friends, always encouraging each other throughout their various training missions. Some of his friends encouraged John to tryout Airbourne School at Fort Moore in Georgia. Not one to pass up the challenge, John jumped in with both feet, earning his wings as a paratrooper.
John shipped out to Japan in 2017, where by chance he bunked with a young man from Plymouth, Massachusetts. After many long conversations and getting to know one another, he decided to set John up with an old friend from back home. In 2019, upon his arrival back to the United States, John met Hali Baggett, and while she wasn't totally sold on the idea of dating a soldier, he quickly won her over.
John returned to his home base of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, but took any chance he could to visit Hali back in Massachusetts, knowing she was the one for him. Three years after meeting, John arranged for some leave time and met Hali at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, exchanging wedding vows on May 4, 2021. Shortly thereafter, John shipped out to Germany, with Hali returning home to Plymouth. After his return to Fort Bragg, the first order of business was to move Hali down to North Carolina, so the young couple could start their lives together.
More recently, following John's diagnosis, the couple moved back north, making their home with Hali's parents in Plymouth. Not one to sit still, John and his father-in-law, Derek, began a construction project, adding an in-law suite to the house. John wanted to be sure everything was perfect for Hali, spending countless hours setting walls, attaching the roof, and siding, and finishing the interior to exact specifications.
John and Hali had an incredible bond and were consistently found side by side, always getting ready for a new adventure. Some of their favorites were going bowling, playing softball, ice skating, trying new recipes or playing card games and board games like UNO, Rummy, Cribbage, and his favorite Monopoly. The couple listened to a variety of music and sang along every chance they got, which meant John could showcase his Taylor Swift impression, shouting out "Shake If Off" to his Taylor Swift loving wife. Back at home, John looked forward to enjoying the latest game on XBox or PlayStation with his buddies or building his own PC, ensuring it had the best components to keep up with his gaming skills. Recently, as a Star Wars aficionado, John started collecting all the brand's Lego sets, with aspirations to fill his home with all the creations. Throughout his life, John never lost his passion for the outdoors, whether casting his line in a local pond to catch the "big one", fixing vehicles with family and friends, or just sitting around a campfire with friends and a beer or two. He may be gone but will never be forgotten and will be loved, remembered and cherished by all his friends and family.
Beloved husband of Hali Catherine (Baggett) Maine.
Loving father to his fur-babies, Captain Rex, Stella, and Nala.
Devoted son of Daniel Robert Maine, and his wife Kayla, and Ashley Rose (LaDeau) Couture, and her husband Henry, all of Winchendon.
Brother of Maverick Couture of Athol, Dustin Couture of Winchendon, Riley Couture of Ashburnham, Hunter Couture of Winchendon, Daniel R. Maine Jr. of Winchendon, and Michael Maine of Winchendon.
Cherished son-in-law of Derek and Patricia Baggett of Plymouth.
Brother-in-law of Shane Baggett of Plymouth, and Emma Baggett of Plymouth.
Also survived by several nieces and nephews, as well as countless brothers and sisters from various platoons in the United States Army.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend John's Life Celebration on Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole, Massachusetts. A Memorial Service will follow at the funeral home at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John's name may be made to Pawfect Match Rescue, PO Box 171, Holly Springs, NC 27540 or by visiting https://www.pawfectmatch.org/
