NEW GLOUCESTER — Guy Sturgis passed away at his home on Oct. 20.

He was born in his grandfather’s summer home in New Gloucester, Dec. 23, 1938, his parents were Elliott and Orlean (Bunker) Sturgis. He graduated as the valedictorian of his New Gloucester High School, Class of 1957. He graduated from the University of Maine, Orono, with a degree in business and economics. While attending college, he met and married Laura Jane Wilson and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year on August 26.

His early career was spent in the oil industry; first as a sales rep with Exxon, then he managed an oil company, T & M Oil, in the Lewiston-Auburn area. He worked for Agway Petroleum for a short time and then for several years, he was with Getty Oil Co. for whom he evaluated sites in New England and in other parts of the country as Getty expanded their operations.

Ever following his entrepreneurial spirit Guy, along with his wife and sometimes his children, had several business ventures — Swim World of Auburn, and The Stove Shoppe on Washington Street. He eventually started a convenience store, where his other businesses had been, going by the name of Doc’s Quick Stop.

He then turned to the restaurant business that his wife and daughter ran on Mill Street in New Auburn called Doc’s Diner — which is now the location of Rolly’s Diner. He also ran a little place on Lincoln Street by the name of Rita’s Variety. He sold both businesses and became a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser — the profession from which he retired. He ran the appraisal business under the name Sturgis Appraisals, with his principal associate his son, Matthew.

For the last 20 years, he also had a small snack distribution business that went by the name of Doc’s Distributors. He was well-known around his neighborhood for his collection of used cars; he enjoyed driving each and every one of them. He lived with lung cancer for the last five years, surprising his doctors for surviving as long as he did. He had other health issues that diminished his quality of life over the last few months, COPD and Congestive Heart Failure.

His wife, Laura Sturgis, daughter Melissa (Jon) Elie, of Leeds and son Matthew (Amy) Sturgis of Gray, all survive him; he leaves four grandchildren, Isaac and Kendra Elie of Leeds, Alexandra Stewich of Andover, Mass., and Liza Jane Sturgis of Gray; his sister, Katherine Anderson of Falmouth; two nephews, Tyler Anderson of South Portland and Dr. E.J. (Dr. Kristin) Anderson of Providence, R.I., and their three sons; he will be deeply missed by his cat, Shasta and his English Springer Spaniel, Bode.

His parents predeceased him.

The family would like to thank Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the care they gave Guy the final months of his life.

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