LEWISTON — Donald P. Stebbins Sr., 73, of Dryden, died unexpectedly Sunday, Dec. 4, at Central Maine Medical Center.

He was born on Feb. 19, 1938, in Westfield Mass., son of Phillip and Paulita (Beauchemin) Stebbins. He attended Massachusetts schools and went on to graduate from the University of Hartford with a degree in electrical engineering.

On May 30, 1957, he married Evelyn Theresa Lewey in Russell, Mass.

Donald retired from Electro Flex Heating Inc. in Bloomfield, Conn., as the vice president of Operations after 25 years of service. He then moved his family to Maine, where he owned and operated Stebbins A.G. for 15 years. After which he then went to work and later retired from Boise Cascade Paper Co. in Rumford.

He was a devoted husband and caregiver for his wife after her heart transplant in 1994, a remarkable father of five children, and a respected grandfather of seven grandchildren. He was also an avid gardener and loved the outdoors.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; his children, Donald Stebbins Jr. and his wife, Pamela, Bernadette Stebbins Bessey, Keith Stebbins and his wife, Gianna, Brian Stebbins and his wife, Wendy, and Michael Stebbins; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Bessey, Kyle Stebbins, Ashley Stebbins, Tyler Stebbins, Briana Stebbins, Olivia Stebbins and Philip Stebbins; his sister, Sandra Warner and her husband, Ken; and brothers, Gary Stebbins and his wife, Anita, Neil Stebbins, and Dennis Stebbins and his wife, Judy.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with Donald’s family at www.wilesrc.com.