Eliot- Stephen W. Sanborn, 70, of Eliot, died on Saturday, September 23, 2017, with his family by his side.

Stephen was born in Winterport, Maine, to Everett N. and Harriett C. (Ayer) Sanborn. He graduated from R.W. Traip Academy in 1964, and was directly drafted into the Vietnam War. He served a single, distinguished tour of duty with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry - recognized with a Presidential Unit Citation, as he was individually honored with a Combat Infantryman Medal and many other accolades.

After returning from abroad he enrolled in New Hampshire Technical College in 1968. He graduated in 1970 with an Associate Degree in Applied Science - Industrial Electronics, and continued his education at UNH. His career started at Vigitron in management with fire-detection systems, and continued at Simplex designing communications cables. His introduction to financial products and sales began after being recruited to Metropolitan Life in 1973, where he consistently ranked among top producing agents. With his wife Rhea, he purchased and renovated properties along the New Hampshire seacoast. Gifted in mechanical and practical endeavors, he individually completed a large portion of the construction for the properties he owned, including electrical service, plumbing, and finish carpentry.

Building upon his success in insurance sales, together with his wife he established partnership in Ford Financial Services, Inc. in 1985 while simultaneously building his family's first new house in Eliot, Maine. Together husband and wife worked in the insurance business for over thirty years, starting new corporations together and ranking among the top sales producers in the country, a success that permitted them to travel across the world.

He joined Rotary International and served with distinction in various board roles for more than thirty years, and was honored with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. A champion of small business, he was an active member of the York Chamber of Commerce and Town of Eliot planning boards.

His hobbies included fishing, hunting, and trailer camping. He was passionate about cars, and employed significant mechanical abilities in the construction of hot-rods from various commuter vehicles. His preferred subject was the Fiero, a light-weight coupe he enjoyed boosting with muscle car components such as high-displacement engines. His projects were recognized with awards from car shows and cruise nights throughout New England.

Stephen is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Rhea Irene (Wolodkin) Sanborn, sons Michael and Daniel, brother Colby Sanborn and spouse Yvette of Waterboro, ME, sister Maris (Sanborn) King and spouse Joseph of Lebanon, ME, and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

He was a wonderful mix - brash, generous, hardworking, kind, stubborn - a devoted husband and father who is very deeply respected, and even more deeply missed. We love you, and we're so proud of you Dad...

Services: A Celebration of Life in Stephen's honor is planned at The Regatta, 28 Levesque Drive, Eliot, ME 03903 on Thursday, October 5, 2017 to begin at 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations may be made to the Eliot-South Berwick Rotary Club, PO Box 11, So. Berwick, ME 03908-0011. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com . Care for the Sanborn family has been entrusted to the JS Pelkey Funeral Home.