John Goodell Sanborn

AUGUSTA -- John G. Sanborn died on Nov. 27, 2005, after many years of poor health. He was 85.

He was born on April 8, 1920, the son of Walter Martin Sanborn and Nita Leola (Goodell) Sanborn of Augusta. In 1938 he graduated from Cony High School, where he was well known as a trombonist in the school band and orchestra; excelled in academics; and was president of the National Honor Society during his senior year.

He majored in psychology at Bowdoin College and while he was there earned his "wings" in the Civil Aeronautics Association. After the Pearl Harbor attack of December, 1941, he was granted a military deferment until his college graduation the following June, when he entered the Navy as a flight instructor.

Sanborn served as a flight officer at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., and as a test pilot for the Beechcraft Corporation of Wichita, Kan., and North American Aircraft of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. His flight duties took him to almost every state in the country. He ended his Naval career after serving as personnel officer and patrol plane commander of a "privateer" bomber squadron headquartered in Kodiak, Alaska. On Jan. 26, 1945, he married Marie Claire Hallvax of St. Louis, Mo.

After his release from the Navy, Sanborn worked for the Central Maine Power Company in Waterville. He was subsequently promoted to district manager in Augusta. In 1960 he became manager of the Northern Division, which included the territory from Waterville north to Jackman and east to Rockland. He retired in June 1986, after more than 40 years with the company.

John loved being on the water. In 1957 he bought a used 17-foot blue Chris-Craft with red leather seats, and he enjoyed the boat immensely. During his retirement he took several winter cruises on much larger boats, traveling to Bermuda, Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil, and most of the islands in the Caribbean.

A gifted artist, he studied various types and techniques of sketching and water colors. Old time steam boats and Augusta buildings were two of his favorite subjects. His pictures included a variety of river and ocean-going crafts, and he was particularly skilled at painting water scenes. He also enjoyed drawing and painting cartoon figures and family portraits.

John was predeceased by his wife Marie, in 1965, and by his brother, Richard B. Sanborn, in 1999.

He is survived by his beloved sister, Margaret Sanborn Hodgdon; three daughters, Karan Sanborn Gray and her husband, J. Robert Gray, Susan Newkirk-Sanborn and her partner, Tom Browne and Robin Sanborn Wood and her husband, Timothy Wood. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Ian Gray and his wife, Jaime, Eric Gray, Shelly Wood, Sandra Wood, Timothy Wood Jr., Brooks Newkirk and Thatcher Newkirk. He leaves a single great-grandson, Camden Gray, and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may visit from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home at 2 p.m.

Those who wish to remember Mr. Sanborn in a special way may make donations to the South Parish Congregational Church, Church Street, Augusta. http://www.khrfuneralhomes. com