Samuel E. Roberts, 87, of Nobleboro, passed away peacefully at LincolnHealth – Miles Campus on Nov. 6 after a lengthy illness. He was born on Nov. 18, 1930 in Damariscotta to Francis and Dorothy Erskine Roberts.
He attended Fryeburg Academy, before enlisting in the U.S. Navy where he served as a printer aboard the USS Albany, a heavy cruiser, from 1949-50. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1950-56.
He married his wife of 67 years, Abbie Henry, in 1951. They had four children, Beverley, Deborah, Christopher and Frances.
He was a third generation owner, publisher and CEO of the Lincoln County Publishing Company and The Lincoln County News. He worked on the paper and in the print shop starting at an early age and could operate most of the presses in the print shop by the time he was of grammar school age. He took over ownership of the paper from his mother in 1966 and worked until his retirement in 1992.
He was one of the founders and a past president of the Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service. He was an ambulance attendant under two funeral homes and under the Fred French Ambulance Service, before organizing the CLCAS in 1972.
He was one of 14 local business men who founded the Damariscotta Bank & Trust in 1972. He served as a Director on the Board at DB&T for many years.
He was a former trustee and member of the Massasoit Engine Company (Damariscotta Fire Department). He joined the Company in 1951 and responded to calls for 55 years. He was an honorary member at the time of his death. He was the longest living tenured member of the fire company at the time of his death.
He served as chairman on the Damariscotta Planning Board for 15 years. He was a member of the Damariscotta-Newcastle Lions Club. He worked on the Miles Memorial Hospital League rummage sales for many years.
He was a past president of the New England Press Association and was inducted into the NEPA Hall of Fame in 2000. He was a past president of the Maine Press Association, and was a State Chairman for the National Newspaper Association (NNA). He also served as chairman and was a member of various committees with the NNA.
He was a member and past vestryman at St. Andrew’s Church in Newcastle.
He is survived by his wife, Abbie; daughter, Beverley Andrews and husband Tom of Bucksport; daughter, Deborah Rix and husband Byron of Chugiak, Alaska; son, Christopher and wife Paula of Damariscotta; and daughter, Frances of Nobleboro; grandchildren, Melissa Andrews and husband Dennis Morelli of New Gloucester, Alice Milan and husband Kyle of Old Town, John Roberts and wife Kristen of Damariscotta, Allan Roberts and wife Allison of Damariscotta, Katrina Rix and husband Evan Hinton of Seward, Alaska, and Anna Rix of Fairbanks, Alaska; and step grandchildren, John Brown and wife Stephanie of New Hampshire, and Alexa Harris and husband Derrick of Texas; and five (soon to be six) great-grandchildren, Matthew, Thomas, James and Michaela Roberts, and Everett Milan; and three step great-grandchildren, Killian Brown, and Vivienne and Johanna Harris.
He was predeceased by his parents; a brother, John Christopher; and two sisters, Katharine (Kay) Roberts, and Dorothy (Dee) McFadden.
Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for a time of visitation from 5-8 p.m., Wed., Nov. 14 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. A funeral will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Thurs., Nov. 15 at the funeral home, with Rev. John Ineson officiating. A reception will follow at the Wells-Hussey American Legion Post #42, Damariscotta.
Should friends so desire, donations may be made in Sam’s memory to CLC Ambulance Service, P.O. Box #373, Damariscotta, ME 04543; or the Ecumenical Food Pantry, P.O. Box #46, Newcastle, ME 04553.
Condolences, and messages may be sent to his family by visiting StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
