John Carlin, a beloved adventurer, fisherman, and devoted family man, passed away after a courageous 19-month battle with pancreatic cancer on Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025. His signature fishing hat, thick Minnesota accent, his unique "Carlinese" lingo, and his huge heart were just a few of the many things that made him unforgettable.
John was born on July 8, 1968 in Minneapolis. He was raised in Edina, MN, and spent much of his childhood at his family's cherished cabin, "Bu-Ca-Si," on Lake Mille Lacs, where his love for fishing and the outdoors was nurtured. Some of his favorite memories were fly-out fishing trips to Canada with his father, Bing. A natural athlete, John co-captained Edina High School's hockey and football teams, forming friendships that lasted a lifetime.
John's world changed forever when his mother, Jane, passed away suddenly in his early teens. Determined to honor her, he poured himself into sports and academics, ultimately attending the University of Notre Dame, where he played hockey for the Fighting Irish. A knee injury ended his collegiate hockey career, but he cherished the forever friendships, football games, and his beloved Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Even after a successful college career, John did not seem to fit the mold of getting the typical corporate job in the city. His passion for the outdoors and adventure was his beacon to head to Alaska. John continued his summer sportfishing guiding gig on the Mulchatna River in the remote Alaskan Bush. After several years of guiding, he purchased Alaska Trophy Fishing Safaris (ATFS) in 2002, running it with passion and dedication. His love for the Alaskan wilderness was unmatched; he built a cabin on the bluffs of Cook Inlet, overlooking Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna. When not fishing, he spent nearly a decade coaching hockey at Soldotna High School.
After a 10-year friendship, John and Melissa Carlin moved to Homer, AK, building their dream timber frame home overlooking Kachemak Bay. In 2005, John proposed in a spectacular setting—at 10,000 feet on the Ruth Glacier near Denali. They married in 2006 in an intimate ceremony in Palm Desert, CA, and welcomed their daughter, McKenna Jane, in 2007. In 2010, John's family became complete when he gained his bonus daughter, Melinda Joan. John passed on his love for wanderlust to his family, meticulously planning family fishing trips, adventures, and time at their remote cabin across Kachemak Bay.
John's battle with cancer began in August 2023, but he refused to let it define him. Despite undergoing treatment each week, he continued seeking adventure and traveling...fishing for salmon and halibut on Kachemak Bay, visiting family and friends in his hometown of Edina, MN, ice fishing on the Kenai Peninsula and Lake Louise, bone fishing on Oahu, vacationing in Kauai, and spending an entire summer working, while battling cancer, on the Mulchatna River with Melissa and McKenna by his side. His will to live was fierce, and his spirit remained unbreakable.
John's life was a testament to his resilience, determination, and his faith. He was a man of integrity, generosity, and humor, touching countless lives with his wisdom and warmth. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
John was preceded in death by his mother, Jane (Butler) Carlin and his father Julian Peavey Carlin.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Melissa Patricia Carlin; daughter, McKenna Jane Carlin, both of Homer, AK, and Melinda Joan Baudoin of Novato, Calif.; grandchildren, Mason Alexander, Georgia Grace "Gigi", Abigail Rose Cartright, also of Novato, Calif.; sister, Kristin Carlin of Kasilof; stepmother, Emily Carlin; step-siblings, Jason, Adam, Lorna and Angie, all of Edina, Minn.; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Angelina and Archangel Trinidad, of Blackshear, Ga.; sister-in-law, Monica Cochran and husband, Greg, and their daughters, Maya and Sophia, also of Blackshear, Ga.; brother-in-law, Michael Trinidad and wife, Debra and their daughter, Lyndsey, Trinidad, all of Atlanta, Ga.; and several beloved cousins.
Rather than flowers, please donate to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN).
