THORNDIKE — The last time Lorraine Sullivan saw Steven Hodgdon, he was dressed nicely and told her that he was going to Lewiston to pick up his son, Colby.

Hodgdon was an employee at Sullivan’s Waste, a trash disposal and recycling business in Thorndike owned by Lorraine Sullivan’s two sons, Butch Sullivan and Ralph Sullivan.

Matt Steiner speaks about stabbing victim Steven Hodgdon on Saturday at Steiner’s home in Troy. David Leaming/Morning Sentinel

Butch Sullivan speaks Saturday about employee Steven Hodgdon, who died of stab wounds on March 7. Sullivan, owner of Sullivan’s Waste Disposal company, praised Hodgdon as a hardworking and dependable employee. David Leaming/Morning Sentinel

The home of Steven Hodgdon at 188 Rutland Road in Troy, where he was found dead of stab wounds on March 7. His son, Colby, 16, has been charged in connection with the killing. David Leaming/Morning Sentinel

Colby Hodgdon, 16, is brought to court Friday in Belfast, charged with the murder of his father, Steven Hodgdon, in March in Troy. Photo by Kevin Bennett

Like the rest of her family, Hodgdon called Sullivan “Gram” and often visited her in between jobs at the trash and recycling company. The family also had a nickname for him – “Hollywood” – because he was always wearing sunglasses.

Hodgdon, 49, had just gained custody of his 16-year-old son and had brought Colby to live with him on Rutland Road in nearby Troy, she said.

“He was very happy and smiling the night he told me that,” Lorraine Sullivan said. “‘I’m happy to get him back,’ he said. He used to speak about his kids a lot. He was always speaking about them.”

About a month later, on March 7, Hodgdon was found dead. Colby Hodgdon has been charged with the murder of his father, who authorities say died of a stab wound.

The Sullivans and others in the area said Saturday that they knew little about Colby Hodgdon, who had lived with his mother in Lewiston before moving to Troy.

Colby’s mother attended her son’s initial appearance Friday at Waldo County District Court in Belfast, where she was identified only as Ms. Roy.

The Sullivans remembered Steven Hodgdon as a polite, courteous person, despite having recently been in and out of jail numerous times. He was a hard worker and dependable, they said.

“He was helpful. He would do anything for anyone,” said Maria Steiner of Troy, a friend of the Hodgdon family.

Her son, Matt Steiner, is a former corrections officer at the Waldo County Jail and remembers Steven Hodgdon as a well-behaved inmate who caused little trouble and was easy to communicate with while in custody years ago.

Both Steiners said Steven Hodgdon had a drinking problem, but they weren’t sure how it started. His parents also live on Rutland Road, and the Steiners said they tried to help him overcome his addiction.

“Had it not been for the alcohol, I think he would have made an unbelievable contribution to the world,” Maria Steiner said. “It’s sad how alcohol can take people over. His parents are wonderful people. I know they tried so hard and in so many ways to help him.”

“From what I understand, (Colby) was a troubled kid,” Maria Steiner said. “His father took him in and that was the end result. Was there drinking involved? An argument? No one really knows and no one is ever really going to know what happened.”