John Phillip Countiss, 52, Lexington Park

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

John Phillip Countiss, 52, of Lexington Park died Aug. 9, 2009.

He was born Sept. 24, 1956, in Helen, the son of Joseph Ignatius "Nace" Countiss and Mary Ellen "Mamie" Curtis Countiss.

He was a lifelong resident of St. Mary's County.

He attended Father Andrew White Catholic Elementary School in Leonardtown. He graduated from Chopticon High School in Morganza and attended Maryland Vocational Center in Baltimore, where he studied warehouse receiving.

He first worked at the Navy Exchange Store at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. He then worked more than 19 years with the Clarke Feed and Grain Mill in New Market. He spent his final 12 years of employment with McKay's Food and Drug in Great Mills.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Elizabeth and Elsie Countiss, both of Lexington Park; and three brothers, Joseph, Aloysius and Alexander, all of Leonardtown.

He is survived by two sisters, Mary Martin and Ann Countiss, both of Lexington Park; two brothers, Francis Countiss of Leonardtown and Charles Countiss of Aberdeen; his godparents, Joseph N. Gray of Chaptico and Mary Genivieve Curtis of Washington, D.C.; his paternal aunt, Ann Jones of Avenue; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Christian ecumenical memorial service will be hosted by the Rev. Joseph Sileo on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at Holy Face Catholic Church in Great Mills. Interment will be private.