AUBURN – Steven C. Ranney, 60, died Monday, May 28, at Clover Health Care after a long illness.

He was born June 10, 1946, in Presque Isle, the son of Stephen and Elizabeth Coombs Ranney. Even as a child, he displayed his interest in engineering by building an intricate landscape maze in his backyard.

After his graduation from Presque Isle High School in 1964, he enrolled at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. He spent three and a half years there until enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1967, serving in Vietnam.

A graduate of the University of Maine, Orono, he began his employment with the city of Auburn in 1974, where he worked his entire career. In 2006, he was honored to receive the “Hero Award,” nominated by his peers, for bravely battling his illness while continuing to report to work. For his work with the city of Auburn and the Environmental Protection Agency on the “Think Blue Maine Program,” he received the “Environmental Merit Award,” also known as the “Rubber Ducky Award.”

He was very active, playing basketball regularly with a local men’s league until his declining health last year. He enjoyed gardening and spent countless hours landscaping and building rock walls and gardens around his home. He was devoted to his daughter and was always involved in her activities. He took great joy in supporting her at sailing camp, basketball camp, tap, ballet and violin lessons.

He is survived by his daughter, Jessima Siti Ranney of Augusta; two sisters, Joanne Miller of South Thomaston and Katherine Ranney of Rockland; one brother, George Ranney, and his wife, Deianalynn, of Rockland; three nieces, Katherine Crandall, and her companion, Brad Anderson, of Spruce Head, Trina Fulton, and her husband, Ben, of Westerly, R.I., and Jodie Heal, and her husband, Jason, of Warren; three great-nieces, Aubrey Anderson, Emily Norwood and Abigail Norwood; one great-nephew, Amos Anderson; one uncle, Joseph Coombs, and his wife, Mary, of Boothbay; as well as many cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents.