1940 – 2015

NAPLES, Fla. — The world lost a gem on Saturday, March 7. David I. Sterling, known by many as “Dad” and “Grand,” passed away suddenly and unexpectedly while enjoying the warm air and sunshine of Naples, Fla.

A resident of Cape Elizabeth, David Ingalls Sterling was born on Aug. 15, 1940, the only son of Lewis C. and Margaret Ingalls Sterling. David was the grandson of the late Capt. Herman M. and Maria S. Ingalls. David was predeceased by his sister, Maria Sterling Kane. David spent his early years on Peaks Island, “during the Big War” (World War II), a place he cared deeply about. David excelled at sports, earning numerous accolades at Kents Hill School and Cony High School in Augusta.

David married the love of his life, Donna Anne Wentworth, on July 7, 1958, in Kennebunk.

David served in the U.S. Army and later enrolled at the University of Maine, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. While at the University of Maine, David was a member of the football team.

He was the friend to any, always offering his warm smile, a firm handshake or a lovable hug. A fabulous narrator of jokes and stories, David inspired a Sterling family tradition of reading Maine humor and other literature out load to the roaring laughter of the audience.

The consummate professional, David was proud to have been recruited and started his career at the Central Intelligence Agency. Subsequently, he accepted a position as a surety bond specialist in the insurance industry, focused on commercial construction.

As a member of the AGC of America, David contributed to the growth of many Maine-owned businesses, building infrastructure across the state. There are not many roads or bridges in Maine (and many places) that David did not have firsthand knowledge of the details of the original project. David’s commitment to his clients created strong bonds of trust and loyalty.

David was a 32nd degree Mason. He was committed to volunteering. As a member of the Lions, Jaycees, Rotary International, the Auburn Zoning Board of Appeals, the United States Ski Patrol, Cape Elizabeth Land Trust and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, David enjoyed connecting with people.

David and Donna were blessed with four children, each achieving success in their own way. David’s pride in his children’s accomplishments in the arts, business, academia and athletics was his favorite conversational topic.

David was a strong supporter reveling in wins and suffering in losses. His four grandsons provided a dimension of fun and pride he never knew could exist. Cheering two generations of Sterlings was his highlight for the past five decades. Coaching baseball and football, serving the needs of ski races or watching any sporting event, David always cheered with pride, making memories and friends for a lifetime.

David and Donna enjoyed many years skiing with their family at Lost Valley and Evergreen Valley. They played golf for many years as members of Martindale Country Club.

At 50, David fulfilled a life dream — he bought a boat! David and Donna cruised the waters of Casco Bay and beyond with their family and friends — but mostly their grandsons — aboard the Just Grand I, II, III and IV.

David will be missed by his wife, Donna (Wentworth) Sterling, of Cape Elizabeth; daughters, Margaret and her husband, Stephen Benson, of Cambridge, Mass., Marsha Sterling and her husband, James Roberts, of Winchester, Conn., and New York City, and Marla and her husband, Chip LeBlanc, of Cumberland; a son, David and his wife, Susan Sterling, of Auburn; his four adored grandsons, Michael David LeBlanc, Christopher Marshall LeBlanc, Airman David Reynolds Sterling, USAF, and Alexander Ingalls Sterling; as well as one niece and four nephews.

For further information and to leave a tribute in David’s memory, please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com.