SANFORD — It is with deep sadness that the family of Dr. William Eric “Bill” Chernin of Sanford announces his death, on Jan. 4, 2014.

Bill will always be remembered for his capacity to care for others, showing great compassion, generosity and support for his family, friends and patients.

Bill was born and raised in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada.

An excellent student and leader, Bill was also a fine athlete; he could swim the Mira or Lake William in record time, and he was equally talented in hockey gear.

After graduating from Dalhousie Medical School in 1982, Bill worked in family practice in Nova Scotia, including Glace Bay and Porter’s Lake as well as Timmons, Ontario where he served as an air ambulance physician for Northern Ontario, Canada.

In 1998, Bill moved with his young family to Sanford, where he accepted a position with Goodall Hospital. Sanford became Bill’s home, and he continued a family practice where his patients could always rely on only the finest care. He liked to say that he practiced medicine as if his mother was looking over his shoulder and his father was paying the bills!

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Myer and Sandra Chernin.

Bill is survived by: his children, Sam, Rebecca and Isaac, all of Sanford; five siblings, Jeffrey, David and wife Maggie, Susan and husband John, Stephen and Lewis; his partner, Jane Liemer of Exeter, N.H.; his niece, Mara; and nephews, Ross and Max.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014 at Temple Israel, 200 State St., Portsmouth, N.H. Memorial contributions may be made to Sanford Salvation Army, 871 Main St., P.O. Box 391, Sanford, ME 04073; or Counseling Services Inc., 2 Springbrook Drive, Biddeford, ME 04005. Visit www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com to sign the online guestbook and/or to send a private condolence. Arrangements are under the direction of J. Verne Wood Funeral Home-Buckminster Chapel, Portsmouth, N.H.