John James Vaillancourt, 59, of Elkton, Maryland, passed away on March 16, 2025. Born in Webster, Massachusetts, on July 24, 1965, John was the beloved son of Carl Vaillancourt and Carol and Richard Stephens. He was also the devoted husband of Kimberly (Czernich) Vaillancourt, who he loved deeply and cherished their lives together.

John worked as a Facilities Manager at a warehouse, where he was known for his dedication, strong work ethic, and leadership. His commitment to his job earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues.

A military veteran, John served in the US Navy from 1984-1992.

Outside of work, John’s passion for life extended to his involvement with the DockDogs community. As a former president of the Delmarva DockDogs organization, he was deeply invested in the sport, and had an innate ability to train and compete with his dogs, many of whom went on to become champions under his guidance. His love for the sport was only rivaled by his genuine desire to help others, offering mentorship and support to new and seasoned members alike. John’s legacy in the DockDogs community will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of working alongside him.

In addition to his love for animals, John was also an accomplished billiards player, known for his competitive spirit and precision. His booming voice, infectious laughter, and big, heartfelt hugs were trademarks that left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Above all, John was a devoted and loving husband and father. His sense of humor, warmth, and generosity of spirit will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

John is survived by his wife Kimberly Vaillancourt; son, Zachary Vaillancourt; stepdaughter, Elizabeth Bianchi and her husband Anthony; grandson, Anakin; brothers and step-brothers, James (Kim) Vaillancourt, Richard StHilare (Leigh), Charlie Ruttledge, Kevin Stephens(Connie), Brian Stephens, and a large extended family and a vast circle of friends who loved him deeply.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on March 29th at 12:00 pm at the Middletown Fire Dept:

Volunteer Hose Company

27 W. Green Street

Middletown, DE 19709

The family will additionally hold a burial service in Dublin, NH on May 10. More details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in John’s memory to the B.A.A.R.K. Foundation, Inc., at www.baarkfoundation.org.

John’s passing leaves a profound void in the lives of those who knew him, but his spirit and the memories of his kindness, mentorship, and love will endure. He will be forever missed.