HAMPTON — John W. "Yaka" Poirier, 59, of Hampton, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014, at Merrimack Valley Hospice House, Haverhill, Mass.

He was born May 12, 1955, in Beverly, Mass., to the late John E. and Yvonne (Boudreau) Poirier. John grew up in Natick, Mass., and graduated from Natick High School with the Class of 1974.

John owned and operated several restaurants throughout the Seacoast. The first he opened on Hampton Beach, called Yaka's, in 1976, followed by JJ's Marshview, named after his son, then The Broken Yolk Cafe and finally Fantini's at Seabrook Beach.

Most of all, John loved his family and they are grateful for the memories he leaves behind. He was known for his infectious laugh, love of gardening and extraordinary work ethic that influenced many of his young employees. He enjoyed tide pooling, fishing, trips to North Conway, friends and good food.

Surviving family members include his wife, Rebecca Fantini of Hampton; son Joseph Poirier of Seabrook Beach; daughters Jacqueline and Anna Poirier of Hampton; sisters Yvette Whitely and her husband, Herb, of Champaign, Ill., and Andrea Lanser and her husband, Frank, of Nevada City, Calif.; sister-in-law Ronni Fantini Cavener and her husband, Bryan, of Andover, Mass.; mother-in-law Marianne Fantini of Hampton; and several nieces and nephews.

SERVICES: Visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, in the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, in the funeral home. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.Burial will be private. If desired, the family suggests donations to Merrimack Valley Hospice House, c/o Home Health Foundation, Attn: External Relations, 360 Merrimack St., Building 9, Lawrence, MA 01843.