John S. Jenness Jr.

SOUTH PARIS – John S. Jenness Jr., a devoted attorney, passionate artist and art enthusiast, and loving father and grandfather, died on July 10, 2025, in South Paris. He was 77 years old.

John was born on March 16, 1948, in Hanover, N.H., and grew up in Huntington, N.Y. A gifted musician, he played trombone in a nationally recognized jazz band at Walt Whitman High School. He went on to attend Dartmouth College, graduating in 1970. At Dartmouth, he played on the lacrosse team and was a member of the Barbary Coast Jazz Band. He later earned a law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1973.

After passing the New York bar exam, John began his legal career with the Legal Aid Society in New York City, N.Y. representing indigent clients in criminal cases. In 1976, he relocated to South Paris, where he purchased a local law practice from family. For over four decades, John provided legal counsel to the community with intelligence, compassion, and a deep sense of justice. He practiced broadly in both civil and criminal law and was especially proud of his work defending the accused, believing firmly in the importance of fair representation for all.

Beyond the courtroom, John was active in local and state Democratic politics and remained politically engaged long after retirement. He was deeply committed to public service, volunteering his time to mentor young attorneys and serving on the Oxford Hills School Board and the board of a local senior services organization.

John’s interests outside of work were vast and varied. He was a skilled photographer, especially of landscapes and wildlife, with a particular love for the American Southwest. His Sunset Hollow Gallery in South Paris—his retirement project—displayed photos taken across his lifetime, from gritty New York City streetscapes in the ’70s to Monument Valley at sunrise in the ’90s to recent portraits of his grandsons. A lifelong fan and player of jazz music, his extensive vinyl collection ranged from Count Basie to Sun Ra, but he had a special affection for Chet Baker. He followed Formula 1 car racing with intensity, especially during its storied 1990s era, and made annual treks to Montreal to see the race. He found great joy in discovering new and offbeat restaurants locally and during his travels—though he steadfastly refused to even try sushi or feta cheese.

He was both an outside and an inside cat. He loved spending quiet mornings casting his gaze at the water at his cabin on Whitney Pond or at his condo on the coast in Rockland. But he also spent his inside time building and maintaining an extensive collection of antique clocks and vintage film cameras.

More than anything, John treasured his family and friends. He was a devoted father and grandfather, always generous with his time and gifts. He loved visiting his son, Sam, daughter-in-law, Leah, and grandsons Miles, Nolan, and Max in Seattle, Wash. and Atlanta, Ga. He took great pride in two memorable international trips with Sam: to New Zealand in 2005 and Iceland in 2018.

John built enduring friendships throughout his life, especially among his fellow attorneys and others in the legal profession. He enjoyed many traditions with close friends, including annual Portland Sea Dogs games.

He was predeceased by his beloved grandson, Miles Jon Jenness; and by his parents, John Jenness Sr. and Lavinia Jenness.

He is survived by his son, Samuel Jenness; grandsons Nolan and Max Jenness; and his siblings, Thornton Jenness and Susan Phillips.

A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held in Maine in September. You may contact his son, Sam, at smjenness@gmail.com for more details. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris. Online condolences may be shared at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com