John R. Dunn, III

John R. Dunn, III of Essex passed away peacefully at the Tufts Medical Center, Boston on Thursday, January 3, 2013 after a long struggle with congestive heart failure.

Born on April 3, 1953, he was the son of Frances A. (Remsen) of Essex and the late John R. Dunn, Jr. John was a lifelong resident of Essex, graduating from Gloucester High School in 1971. Following high school he attended ITT Technical Institute. In his earlier years he enjoyed vegetable farming with his family who operated the Dunn Farm Stand in Essex. He later became a Class 1 truck driver and was employed for many years by Bentley Warren Trucking, Inc., M.F. Roberts Construction and Newbury Trucking Company. In his retirement years while his health allowed, he still remained active running a landscape service locally and delivering parts for NAPA of Gloucester.

In addition to his mother Frances he is survived by a sister, Debra Lane, wife of Howard, a brother David Dunn, husband of Bonnie (Rutherford) all of Essex and a sister, Diana Merchant of Rochester, NH, nephews David Dunn, Jr. of Haverhill, Daniel Dunn of Gloucester and Michael Merchant, III of Seabrook, NH and Mathew Merchant of Rochester, NH; nieces Leanne Lane and Stephanie Lane both of Essex and Melissa Merchant of Rochester, NH; aunts Doris Miller of Middleton and Mary Dunn of W. Newbury; uncles James Dunn of Andover and Thomas Remsen of Wenham, and two close  friends Albert Mazzetta of Essex and Darrell Knudson of Hamilton.

John will be remembered as someone who quietly enjoyed life and never had an unkind word to say. He truly was a wonderful son, brother, uncle and friend and will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

His funeral service will be held Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 7 pm, following visiting hours from 4 to 7 pm in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his name may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.