ELLSWORTH – John Linnehan Sr., a noted Ellsworth businessman, died Wednesday afternoon at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital at the age of 77.

Linnehan died as the result of various illnesses, including cancer.

“He was surrounded by family and friends and went peacefully,” his grandson, Ryan Linnehan of Trenton, said Wednesday.

“We all loved him very much,” Ryan Linnehan said. “He was one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.”

Of his many accomplishments, “he was probably most proud of No. 1, his family, and No. 1A, his business acquaintances and relationships, ” the grandson said.

Linnehan was the former owner of Ellsworth Ford and was a well-respected businessman throughout Hancock County and the state of Maine.

Born in Ellsworth in 1925, Linnehan attended local schools and graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1943. Longtime friend and former Ellsworth City Counselor Ruth Foster said she always will remember his kindness.

“He was an outstanding member of our community – active in every phase,” she said Wednesday.

Linnehan worked for the Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. for a while before joining his father’s business in 1950. He ran the Linnehan family auto business for 52 years, and eventually his son, John Linnehan Jr., entered into business with him. The family business eventually changed names from Linnehan Auto Sales to Ellsworth Ford, and over the years Linnehan expanded the business to include Bangor Ford.

Because Linnehan’s business dealt with his friends and neighbors, his philosophy was always to put the customer first, a concept he tried to instill in his employees.

“John was always a first-class gentleman,” Bud Morrison, owner of Ellsworth Morrison Chevrolet said. “He was fair and good competition.” Morrison had known Linnehan for “at least 45 years” as both a friend and competitor.

In 1979, Linnehan and his son bought the McCauley Textile Mill on outer State Street in Ellsworth. The two later leased sections of the old mill as retail space, and the building became known as the Mill Mall.

In the early 1990s, the Linnehan family opened Credit Now! Auto Co. to provide auto loans. Within about five years, the business had expanded to Brewer, Lincoln, Calais and Presque Isle.

In 1991, the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce honored Linnehan with a Top Drawer Award. The honor is bestowed upon an “outstanding individual, company or organization of substantial contribution to the growth, development and improvement of the city, county or state.”

Ross Grant of Willey’s Sports Center in Ellsworth said he had known Linnehan Sr. all his life. The two went on several fishing and hunting trips “up north” together. Grant described his friend as “the greatest guy you’ll ever meet. He was a pleasure to go anywhere with.”

“He was so active and just so much fun,” Grant said. “You’ll never find anyone who will speak a bad word about John Linnehan Sr.”

Friends and family are invited to call 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at Jordan Funeral Home, 113 Franklin St. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 at Family Bible Church, Bar Harbor Road, Ellsworth.