John Philip Dirlam, age 82, of Lincolnville, ME died on February 10, 2026 after a vaccine injury left him with a debilitating autoimmune condition which he  fought bravely for five years.  He died peacefully at home, with his team of hospice people, and his loving wife, Patricia at his side.

He will be sorely missed by the many people who knew him, who loved his beautiful smile, his intellect and curiosity, and his amazing ability to connect with each person he met.  His affable character, love of history and music, and natural curiosity of the world provided John with the unique ability to strike up friendly and meaningful conversations with anyone fortunate enough to cross paths with him.

He was a brilliant scientist, an organic chemist, who was instrumental in advancing medical science with multiple significant patents and publications.  He often traveled the world leading seminars for medicinal chemists and doctors. He is remembered by his colleagues as a respected director, mentor, and collaborator. He was forever grateful for the deep connections he made during this time with some very special friends. 

He was passionate about music and became a friend a delighted fan of the many songwriters and musicians who he cherished.  He would say that he looked forward to connecting with those who had previously passed over, including John Prine, Randy Meisner, Eva Cassidy, Leonard Cohen, Malcolm Holcombe, Levon Helm and more. He has no doubt found the perfect heavenly jam sessions to continue to enjoy his passion.

John was born and grew up in Eugene, Oregon on October 3, 1943, the son of Charles and Lois (Sorensen) Dirlam. He attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA after which he attended graduate school at UCLA, where he received a PhD in organic chemistry. He then completed two post-doctoral studies, first at Lund University in Lund, Sweden and then at Yale University in New Haven, CT.

He wrote about some of his memories which you can read at https://mynashvillenights.blogspot.com/

John was a long-time resident of Gales Ferry, CT.  During this time, together with his late former wife Nancy, John was a devoted dad to his two children, Brian Dirlam and Kim Dirlam Schatz.  He was an active member of the community, volunteering his time for youth sports, and St. Luke Lutheran Church.

John enjoyed skiing, snowshoeing, tennis, hiking and golf. He even took up Pickle Ball. He created a bluebird trail on his acreage in Connecticut which he maintained enthusiastically. He was also an avid spectator of college sports, including the UConn Huskies, UCLA Bruins, Oregon Ducks, and Wisconsin Badgers as well as a frequent visitor at PGA tour events.

After retiring, John moved to the Nashville, TN area, where he married his wife, Patricia. Together they enjoyed the robust music scene, the favorite of which was always the Bluebird Café, which he and Patricia attended more than a thousand times. He even got to accompany his buddy, Tony Arata, to gigs and loved to carry Tony’s guitar.  Tony said, “I bet I am the only songwriter in Nashville who has a “roadie” with a PhD!”

He and Patricia spent many winters in the southwest, both in Santa Fe and Phoenix.  They continued traveling to their winter escapes, especially after they moved to costal Maine in 2011.

John is survived by his wife, Patricia of Lincolnville, Maine; his children Brian (and Ruth) and Kim (and Todd); his step children, Pamela, Deron, Joshua (Rochelle), and Charles (Pamela); his grandchildren, Natalie, Gillian and Hannah; his step grandchildren, Melody, Tiffany, Deron, Sophia, Josie, Chloe, Dylan, Asher, Gwen, Jack, and Zachary; and the newest, a step great granddaughter, Georgie Lou.  

He is further survived by his sister, Terri Reher and his brother, Ron Dirlam.

John is predeceased by his parents, Charles and Lois Dirlam of Eugene OR and his sister, Deanna Canfield of Boise ID.

John’s family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Beacon Hospice and all the friends and family whose support and visits saw him through his long illness.

A very special thanks to Karin Woodworth, NP, of Still Harbor Health; Carol Moody, his private hospice CNA; and Judy Bond, a dedicated volunteer from Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County. A special thanks as well to the director of HVWC, Flic Shooter, who curated our wonderful team. We are eternally grateful for them for providing loving support, professional care, a peaceful process of transition for John.

In gratitude and in support of the future of compassionate hospice and palliative care, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor, to Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County, PO Box 772, Belfast Maine.  Or through their link online at https://hospicevolunteersofwaldocounty.org