John Gorham. Sears III, 87 of South Yarmouth, MA, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his beloved family on February 18, 2024. John was born at Cape Cod Hospital to John G. Sears Jr. and Marguerite Albertine( Baker) Sears on October 8, 1936.  He grew up on Pleasant Street along Bass River across from Ship Shops.  As a young boy, he and his buddy would ride in his boat up the river to the Indian Lands, camp out and fish for the day, and ride back home.
 
John was  descended from eight Mayflower passengers, a true, eleventh continuous generation in the Town of Yarmouth, a “Cape Coddah”.  He went to John Simpkins School in South Yarmouth for all 12 years. At Yarmouth High School, he took the role of Vice President (sophomore & senior year), President (senior year) and member of the Student Council.  He played basketball (4 years, Captain -senior year), baseball (4 yrs, 1^stbase, catcher), football (senior year, quarterback) and golf (junior & senior years).  He earned letters in all four sports in his senior year and made All Cape All Star teams in all four sports in his senior year.
 
John graduated from Stockbridge School of Agriculture at U-Mass Amherst with Associates Degree of Science, serving as Vice President of his Class and Vice President of  Student Council, Quarterback on the football team, and basketball team for both years.  He was a member of the Alpha Tau Gamma Fraternity, President and Founder of the Varsity S Club, and received the Gold S award for service to the school.
 
After working as a caddie at Bass River Golf Course from age 8 to age 12 he started working for his father as a 3^rd generation landscape contractor at age 13. He cleared a ¼ mile/50’ wide of Long Pond Drive in South Yarmouth with a caterpillar loader in exchange for a house lot on Long Pond at age 20, mainly by himself. He then traded this house lot for his lot on Old Main Street with his father. He worked all winter in 1959 with Ed Balboni building his forever home at 251 Old Main Street in South Yarmouth.
 
John served in the United States Army and Army Reserves for 6 years and was honorably discharged on April 4, 1959 with the rank of Sargent E5.  Following college and his service in the U.S. Army, he started working full time and took over the business of John G. Sears & Son Landscaping at age 24 with 10 employees when his father was elected Selectman.  He owned and operated the business for 43 years.
 
He joined the Yarmouth Fire Department at age 21, served for 30 years, retiring as Station Captain of Headquarters Station, He was a member of the South Yarmouth United Methodist Church, where as a young boy, he rang the steeple bell. A member of the Howard Lodge of Masons, he received a 50 year Medal, and recently received a Medal for U.S. Army Years of Service.  He ran the first police patrol boat with Chief Ted Reynolds, member of Firkin Farm in Chesterfield, Maine.  Seventeen men restored a 150 year old farm for a hunting and family getaway.
He was a  member of Yarmouth Conservation Trust for over 20 years, member of Cape Cod Forester’s and Firefighter’s Association, Past President of Historical Society of Old Yarmouth, former Selectman for Town of Yarmouth, elected member of Charter Commission, Honorary Chairman of Yarmouth’s 350^th Anniversary Council, Chamber of Commerce “Person of the Year” Award 1989, recipient of one of only six “Cape Cod Awards” for making a difference on Cape Cod, built the  for the 350^th Anniversary of Yarmouth and also named it, designed and helped develop “Sea Holly Park” on Parker’s River, co-partnered with several other parents to build the “Memorial Park” for deceased young people at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional  High School member of Bass River and Bayberry Golf Courses (had a double eagle (2 on a par 5) at Bass River Golf Course, Super Senior Champion at both Bass River and Bayberry for three straight years,  member of Kissimmee Bay Country Club in Florida, Owned a home in Kissimmee, Florida for 35 years, owned a Camp in Rangeley, Maine for 57 years, played several years in the Cape League Baseball, including the 1958 Cape Championship Team and named to the All-Star Team. He co-authored the book “Yarmouth” with his sister, Priscilla (Sears) White, and also wrote a book of his memories for his children and grandchildren, “Things I want I asked my Grandfather”.
John enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at his favorite place in Rangeley, Maine and would often say, “How lucky am I”. He was an avid golfer and hunter, a faithful fan of the Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics.  He enjoyed taking rides in his truck down to the beach, watching the boats come in and out of Bass River, rides to nowhere exploring the Cape with his wife, Lee, taking rides on his 4-wheeler in the back woods of Rangeley, Maine and snowmobiling in the winter and Sunday morning breakfasts at Piccadilly Deli.
 
John is survived by his beloved wife of 24 years, Lee (Robinson) Sears. He is also survived by his children Kelli Jacobson, Terri McVey (Sonny), Richard (Karyn), Kenneth (Cindi) all of South Yarmouth, and Daniel (Lisa) of South Dennis, his stepchildren LuAnn (David), Michael Hersey (Keri), and Matthew Hersey.  His sister Priscilla (Sears) White (late husband, George) and brother Stephen Sears (Paula), and his combined 20 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 37 years, Joyce (Liberty) Sears, his son, Joshua Sears and great grandson, Bradyn D’Agostino.
 
Visiting hours will be held at Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave, South Yarmouth, MA on Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 4-7pm> A  Funeral Service will be held at the South Yarmouth United Methodist Church, Old Main Street, South Yarmouth at 11:00am on Friday, February 23, 2024.
Contributions may be made to the Joshua Sears Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Kelli Jacobson, 15 Blue Rock Rd, South Yarmouth, MA 02664. 
 
 

Oh my God, I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. He was such a wonderful man and the town will greatly miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to Ricky, Kenny, Lee and the rest of the family.

My condolences to the family. I had the pleasure to meet Mr Sears as he and his lovely wife are my neighbors. He was a kind and dear man.

So sorry to read of John's passing. Amazing list of giving to Yarmouth and the Cape. Thinking of you Lee and family, prayers for you all. God Bless

So sorry to read of John's passing. Amazing list of giving to Yarmouth and the Cape. Thinking of you Lee and family, prayers for you all. God Bless

Remembering all of the good times throughout the years. Sending hugs! Wish I could be there. In person… definitely there in spirit. Love you all, -Cousin Myla

Remembering the life of a truly special man. It would be difficult for anyone to duplicate his Extraordinary life and adventures. You will be missed, John. Love and hugs, also to our dear friend, Lee.

Selectman, Fire Captain, businessman and friend. Grateful to have had the honor of working with him and for his good counsel. Rest in peace John, and thank you for your service to the town you loved.

Dear Lee and family Words cannot express the deep sorrow we feel with the death of our dear friend John. Always remember the good times we had visiting with you. May God bless and be with you during this difficult time in your lives. Blessings, Rodey and Judy