John Holden Kesseli

GORHAM – John Holden Kesseli, 87, devoted husband and father, died peacefully at his home on March 28, 2025.

He was the son of Herbert and Marion Kesseli, of Worcester, Mass. where he graduated from Worcester Classical High School in 1955.

He went on to earn an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering from Worcester Junior College and a B.S. degree in Industrial Management from Central New England College. He was a member in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers as well as a member in the American Institute of Industrial Engineers.

In 1959, he was drafted into the U.S. Army as part of the 521st Engineer Group. He was stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany during the time that the Berlin Wall went up.

In 1962, he married Mary Weinhold, his high school sweetheart and began raising a family in Worcester, Mass. While in Massachusetts, he worked for American Optical Co., Wyman Gordon, Simonds Cutting Tools and Henry L. Hansen. It was this last company that brought him to Maine where he oversaw the move of company assets and operations to Gorham.

While in Maine he worked for W.H. Nichols Co, and subsequently as a manager of manufacturing engineering at Saco Defense Co. and as an engineering consultant.

He was predeceased by his wife, Mary, of more than 60 years; his parents; and brothers Bob, Carl and Phil Kesseli, who John described as his moral compass.

He is survived by his three children, William and Douglas Kesseli of Gorham and Deanna Kesseli of Marlboro, Mass.

He will be deeply missed by his family and the many friends he made in his life.

A remembrance of life gathering, including a lunch to follow will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. July 19, at Cressey Road Christian Church at 81 Cressey Rd., in Gorham.