Sanford Ellsworth Doughty

sanfordCHEBEAGUE ISLAND -- Sanford Ellsworth Doughty, 93, died on Aug. 6 2013 in the home he was born in. He was the husband of Mabel Doughty.

He was born on Nov. 4, 1919, the 11th of 12 children born to Eben Augustus and Minnie Doughty. Sanford attended school on the island and was one of five graduates of the class of 1937. He credited Stanley Libby, principal of Chebeague Island High School, with his love of learning and his desire to serve the community. As a boy, Sanford carried on his family's fishing tradition, learning from his father and five older brothers as they followed the fish throughout the seasons.

In the summer of 1940, Mabel Knowles came to Chebeague Island where she planned and provided all meals for campers and staff at the Camp West Winds. Sanford was quickly smitten. At the time of Sanford's death, they had been married nearly 70 years.

In November 1942, Sanford and his island friend Ellsworth Miller enrolled in the Maritime Service Training Station in Sheepshead Bay, N.Y. Sanford served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during and after World War II. Some of the countries Sanford sailed to included England, Denmark, France, India, Italy and the former Soviet Union.

In the late 1950s, Sanford began groundfishing in his 52-foot boat, Sirius, built by Winnfield Lash in Friendship. His wife,sanford Mabel, cajoled Sanford into allowing her to fish with him for several summers in Penobscot Bay. That time they spent working together side by side was very important and rewarding.

Sanford foresaw the decline of the groundfishing industry and sold his boat in the early 1980s. He said he traded in his boat for a backhoe, which became his island vehicle since he never got a driver's license.

Sanford had an extraordinary vision for the island's future. He wanted to preserve islanders' access to the shore and he created recreation opportunities for island children.

He created a popular skating pond, building a warming hut with a fireplace, installing lighting, and buying skates, helmets and hockey equipment. He also sold a six-acre lot in Chandler's Cove to the town of Cumberland at a fraction of the market value, so islanders could always have access to the beach there.

He was a great source of knowledge and could remember, to the day, events that occurred 80 years ago. His daughter, Jackie, called him 'The Oracle.' Friends and relatives remember Sanford as incredibly generous, unassuming and self-reliant.

mabelAfter retirement, Sanford never stopped working. He got great enjoyment from splitting his own firewood, even when, at 92, he had to use his crutches to get to his woodpile and prop himself up against his backhoe to steady himself as he cut the wood. He had a great love of music, especially songs from the Big Band era, which he sang throughout the day.

Sanford was predeceased by special childhood friends Alvin Newcomb, Ellsworth Miller and Ray Hamilton. He was also predeceased by his siblings Mabel Doughty, Sidney Doughty, Etta Ross, Nettie Rich, Dorothy Doughty, Warren Doughty, Margaret Peramba, Eben Doughty, Ellis Doughty, Melvin Doughty and Marilyn Fowler.

Sanford is survived by his wife, Mabel Knowles Doughty; daughter Jacqueline Doughty Trask and her husband, George; granddaughters Laura Trask and her husband David Tyler of Auburn, Amy Trask and her husband Aaron Pyle of Bangor and Jennifer Bunch and her husband Bryan of Denver, Colo.; great-grandchildren Mabel, Lila and Paden; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 11 a.m. at the Chebeague Island Methodist Church. (There will be bus at the Stone Pier to meet the 10:15 boat from Cousins Island for those who wish to attend from away and will be returning to the boat later) Also those travelling on the CTC boat please let them know you are going to the Memorial Service. For CTC information - check out their website.

Memorial contributions may be made to:
The Stephen Ross Scholarship Fund c/o Maine Community Foundation,
245 Main St.,
Ellsworth ME 04605, or to:

A memorial fund for Chebeague Islanders lost at sea
c/o the Chebeague
Historical Society
P.O. Box 28
Chebeague Island, ME 04017

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