SANFORD — Stephen S. Gerth Sr., 82, of Sanford, passed away on Dec. 24, 2014 at the Newton Center in Sanford.

He was born in Ports-mouth, New Hampshire on June 6, 1932, a son of the late Ralph and Sara (Shea) Gerth.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict.

For many years, he had been employed by the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company in Virginia.

He was a member of the Sanford American Legion Post, past commander of the AMVETS and a member of the American Pool Players Association.

Stephen was preceded in death by: his parents. Ralph and Sara Gerth.

He is survived by: his wife, June E. Mitchell of Sanford; children, Rev. Stephen S. Gerth Jr. of New York City, Donna Robbins of Fairfax, Virginia, Ralph M. Gerth IV of Newburyport, Massachusetts and Karen E. Burke of Winchester, Virginia; six granddaughters; five great-grandchildren; and one sister, Marie Gerth.

Visiting hours will be on Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St. in Springvale, where a funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Burial with military honors will be at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 383 U.S. Route 1, No. 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074.