John Joseph Waite

John J. Waite, 77, passed away on April 4, 2025, at his home in Stratton, Vermont. John was born in Katonah, New York on July 8, the son of Asahel Miles Waite and Katherine Marotta Waite. He grew up in Weston, Vermont; attended Weston Village School and Burr & Burton Academy; and graduated from New England College with a degree in economics.

John (aka Johnny, Bubba, Waiteless, JDub, Peapa) was larger than life, spirited, and adventurous. He loved to garden, ski, hunt, fish, hike, and golf, and get into good trouble with his lifelong friends. Not long after college, he took a cross country road trip in his Saab that he rebuilt and painted purple, where he worked as a line cook at Marshall Tavern on the Northern California coast and got to see up-and-coming musicians like Joan Baez and Neil Young; experienced card dealing and casinos with his cousin in Reno, Nevada; and rescued his beloved white German Shepard-mix, Snowball.

Back in Vermont, John pursued his passions of skiing and real estate. He was a ski instructor and racing coach at Stratton Mountain, instilling confidence and leaving lasting memories of fun with his “3s and 4s” and “Hopefuls.” He sold real estate with his brother, later starting his own business, which also included building homes. He loved walking the land, researching its history, checking the soil, finding the best views, and conceptualizing the build.

John met Linda when she was visiting her college friends in 1980; there was a party, cassette tapes, scotch, a wood stove…and the rest is history. He became an instant stepfather to Linda’s three young children, Jay, Glenna, and Kevin; and jumped into that job feet first and with so much love. He and Linda had two sons, Ace and Sam. They were his world; he loved them fiercely and was so proud to teach them all he knew and learn from them when they became adults. The family lived in South Londonderry until 2000, when they moved to another beautiful home that John built in Stratton.

As a Stratton resident with businesses in Bondville, John spent his free time on his abovementioned hobbies; served on the Board of the Stratton Foundation; volunteered with the Stratton Volunteer Fire Company, serving as president for many years; and was the Town Agent for Stratton.

John is survived by his wife, Linda Waite of Stratton; children Asahel J. Waite and Samuel R. Waite, both of Stratton, Kevin McMahon of West Hollywood, California, Glenna McMahon of Encinitas, California, and J.P. “Jay” McMahon and Carrie, of Marina del Rey, California; and his grandchild, Castle McMahon. He is also survived by his brother’s family. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert “Bobby” Waite.

A funeral service and celebration of life will be held in late spring or early summer of 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Stratton Mountain Volunteer Fire Company (payable by check via mail) or the Mountain Valley Health Center. To send the family personal condolences please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.