John Holden Kesseli, age 87, devoted husband and father, died peacefully at his home on March 28, 2025. He was the son of Herbert and Marion Kesseli, of Worcester, MA where he graduated from Worcester Classical High School in 1955. He went on to earn an Associate's Degree in mechanical engineering from Worcester Junior College and a B.S. degree in Industrial Management from Central New England College. He was a member in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers as well as a member in the American Institute of Industrial Engineers. In 1959 he was drafted into the U.S. Army as part of the 521st Engineer Group. He was stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany during the time that the Berlin Wall went up. In 1962 he married Mary Weinhold, his high school sweetheart and began raising a family in Worcester. While in Massachusetts, he worked for American Optical Co, Wyman Gordon, Simonds Cutting Tools and Henry L. Hansen. It was this last company that brought him to Maine where he oversaw the move of company assets and operations to Gorham. While in Maine he worked for W.H. Nichols Co, and subsequently as a manager of manufacturing engineering at Saco Defense Co. and as an engineering consultant. He is predeceased by his wife Mary of more than 60 years, his parents and brothers Bob, Carl and Phil Kesseli, who John described as his moral compass. He is survived by his three children William and Douglas Kesseli of Gorham ME and Deanna Kesseli of Marlboro, MA. He will be deeply missed by his family and the many friends he made in his life. In lieu of flowers please honor John's life by making a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project: Support.woundedwarriorproject.org. A remembrance of life gathering, including a lunch to follow will be held from 1 pm to 4 pm July 19 2025 at Cressey Road Christian Church, 81 Cressey Rd., Gorham, ME.