Kermit Avery Sanborn
1920 – 2009
PORTLAND — Kermit Avery Sanborn, 89, formerly of Denmark, died at home on Sept. 19, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Boothbay Harbor, May 10, 1920, a son of Freeman and Florence Sanborn. A graduate of Portland High School, he later attended Bryant and Stratton Business College in Boston. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II.
He loved selling, meeting people and traveling. For more than 30 years, he sold supplies to the printing industry in Maine and New Hampshire for Northeastern Graphic Supply. In 2008, he was honored to receive the Founder’s Award from the Maine Graphic Arts Association.
In addition, he loved the outdoors, including fishing, camping, hunting, and picnicking – and especially doing these activities with his family. He was also involved in many service organizations, such as the Denmark and South Portland Lions Clubs, the Masons and Eastern Star, as well as the Denmark Congregational Church and before that the South Portland Thornton Heights United Methodist Church.
Family was always a tremendous sense of joy for him. His remarkable sense of humor will be missed not only by his family, but by the many, many others he met throughout Maine, and beyond.
He is survived by his son, Vaughn and his wife, Theresa, of Port Republic, Md.; his daughter, Suzanne and her husband, Ralph, of Kennebunk; and his son, William and his wife, Nancy, of Denmark; his grandsons, Jeffery Sanborn of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, and Jonathan Sanborn and his wife, Karen, and their son, Ryan, of Virginia Beach, Va.
He was predeceased by Eleanor, his loving wife of 58 years; his parents; and six older brothers and sisters.
His family deeply appreciates the compassionate care given by Linda O’Brion and Lisa Allen during his last days and weeks. Their loving support and guidance, along with assistance from Hospice of Southern Maine, made it possible for the family to honor one of Kermit’s key wishes – to remain in his home.