SORRENTO – Sturgis R. Haskins, 72, died unexpectedly Sept. 29, 2012, at a Bangor hospital. He was the son of Reginald and Helen Haskins.
Sturgis grew up in Sorrento, where he attended the local grammar school and Sumner High School. He also attended the University of Maine at Machias and the University of Maine, Orono. In 1967-1968 he spent a year at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He also later attended classes at the New School for Social Research, New York City. Whether living in New York in the 1960s or Boston in the 1970s, Sturgis returned home summers to sail on his beloved Frenchmen’s Bay and other areas along the Maine coast. Sturgis had a keen interest in and knowledge of local and Maine history, literature, art, architecture and boating. He also became a fine and prolific photographer, amassing a large collection of pictures of Maine people, places and events. He was well-known statewide and beyond for his encyclopedic knowledge and expertise in the classes of New England boats. Sturge was both a junior and senior Maine sailing champion. For years he worked as a sailing instructor, teaching many young people and even some famous people how to sail. He also enjoyed the game of croquet and met many good friends through this activity. Sturge was an entertaining writer, who published many articles, mostly on classes of boats and boating, in “DownEast Magazine,” “Wooden Boat,” “Yankee” and “National Fisherman.” He was the founder or co-founder of several organizations, including Maine Antique Boat Race, Chiltern Mountain Club, Boston, Downeast Outing Club, Sullivan-Sorrento Historical Society and Wilde-Stein Club at the University of Maine. He has served on the planning board of Sorrento, as well as Hancock County Planning Board and on Great Harbor Marine Museum, Northeast Harbor. He was once active in the Maine Sierra Club and Mount Desert Chapter of Maine Audubon Society. Sturgis loved music and regularly attended concerts at the Monteux School, Kneisel Hall and the operas at the Grand Auditorium. He was not only a “Downeast Renaissance man,” but a well liked good citizen, who got things done. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Stephanie Dall; and his brother-in-law, Trevett Hooper. He is survived by his brother, Jeff and his wife, Georgie; and his sister, Heidi Hooper. Sturgis leaves three nephews, four nieces, several great-nephews and great-nieces, as well as his Aunt Betsy and several cousins.
A memorial service is scheduled 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, at the Ellsworth chapel of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Homes. There will be a gathering of Sturgis’ friends and family at the Maine Grind after the service. Remembrances may be donations to Sorrento-Sullivan Historical Society, P.O. Box 44, Sullivan, ME 04664. Arrangements by Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Ellsworth.
Sturgis R. Haskins
