STANDISH – Stanley Eugene Sanborn, 85, passed away on Aug. 10, 2022, after a long period of declining health. Stan, as he was known by most, passed with his family by his side as he left his earthly bonds to join his beloved, Judy. Stan was born on Oct. 13, 1936, in Portland, Maine, the son of Joseph John Sanborn and Mary Elizabeth (Guevin) Sanborn.

Stan graduated from Cheverus High School in 1955. During high school, Stanley played multiple sports, excelling in football and basketball. Stan was selected to play on the varsity basketball team as a freshman and later as the team Captain in 1955. His brother Joe, also a gifted player, was the captain of the 1952 varsity basketball team. They both liked to joke to each other that their coach at the time, Bill Curran, favored one over the other! Equally gifted in football, Stan was a force to be reckoned with on the field. In 1954 the Cheverus Football team won the Southwestern Maine Championship. Stan’s physical prowess, no doubt, helped him to complete the rigorous training he would endure at Parris Island Marine Corp Recruit Depot.

Upon graduation, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps where he was proud to serve for his country for four years. Stan was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., the Philippine Islands and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, N.H. When his service obligations were complete, Stan began a career that encompassed many fields. He met and married his wife, Judith Ann Lott, after they met on a blind date. They fell almost instantly in love and were married on Oct. 3, 1959, and were married for over 60 years.

Stan was a gifted storyteller and loved to share stories about his family growing up in Portland, his days at Cheverus playing football and basketball, his service to his country in the USMC, and most of all, about the love of his life, Judy. Stan was a fierce supporter of all branches of the armed forces. He was a USMC Combat Engineer and a disabled veteran. Stan was there for everything that his kids and family did. He cherished his family and extended family. He loved family gatherings and was an avid outdoorsman who loved to take road trips to visit family and friends with Judy. Traveling together was their favorite pastime. Stan loved classic movies. In particular, Musicals and Westerns from the ’50s and ’60s. On any given day, you could have visited Stan and, most likely, he would be watching the Turner Classic Movie Channel. 

Stanley was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, Judith A. (Lott) Sanborn, his parents, Joseph J. and Mary E. Sanborn, his sister, Mary Lou Higgins, her husband, Blair R. Higgins, their son, Joshua J. Higgins, and son-in-law, Bruce V. Avery.

He is survived by his children; Daughter, Eileen Avery, and her three children, Patrick, Nicole and Samantha; son, Michael Sanborn, his wife, Joann, and his four children, Sarah, Melissa, Kaitlin and Abbie; son, David Sanborn, his wife, Renee, and their three children, Ethan, Rachel and Ellie; son, Eric Sanborn, his wife, Holly, and their three children, Emily, Haley, and Erin; his brother, Joseph Sanborn, his wife, Patricia of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada; his sister, Eileen F. Sanborn of Portland; his brother-in-law, David M. Iott; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

The family has entrusted A.T. Hutchins with the arrangements. Visiting hours will be held from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:30 p.m., on Sunday, August 28, at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Ave, Portland, Maine. Deacon Darrell Blackwell will officiate. A gathering to celebrate Stan will follow the service at Stan and Judy’s home in Standish.

Stan’s internment with full Military Honors is scheduled for Monday, August 29, at 1 p.m. at Southern Maine Memorial Veterans’ Cemetery, 83 Stanley Road, Springvale, Maine. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Stan to the Maine Veterans’ Homes Scarborough, 290 US-1 Scarborough, ME 04074, or made online at http://www.mainevets.charityproud.org/Donate/Index/846.