Stanley D. Sewall ’60

Stanley D. Sewall, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and avid Red Sox fan passed away July 3, 2022 at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness. Stanley was born September 11, 1939 in York, Maine. He graduated from York High School in 1957 having lettered in baseball, basketball, cross country and football. He was quite an accomplished athlete in High School, even competing in a statewide basketball tournament, finishing third in the free throw event. And more than once his name was lauded in the local paper for his skill as a tailback and ‘star of the game’ in football. Later in life he used his knowledge and love of sports to coach baseball for his son and help his somewhat less enthusiastic daughters to play.

He went on from high school to attended Maine Maritime Academy, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Marine Science. This education led to him accepting a job on cargo ships and sailing all around the world – he often referred to his ‘trips to the orient’ and his family still has some of the wonderful items he brought home from his travels abroad. On a blind date in 1962 he met his future bride Diane A. Blethen. They married May 25, 1963 and went on to have five children and live in 6 houses in 5 states over the next 59 years. After the excitement of sailing around the world once he got married he settled down and he began his career in Gypsum, manufacturing wallboard for National Gypsum, Georgia Pacific and LaFarge over the years. He and wife Diane also built up a respectable business in antiques and collectibles and traveled the states going to glass and Antique shows together as well as having a shop in Red Hook, NY.

Stanley was loved by all who knew him – people loved him for his kindness, fairness and wonderful sense of humor. He loved a good laugh and was always quick to tell a joke. He was always ready and willing to help. His wife and children will be forever grateful to him for his patience, guidance, and unconditional love. We will miss his wonderful laugh and bright blue eyes.

Stanley is survived by his wife Diane Sewall née Blethen, his five children, Mallory O’Shea of Poughkeepsie, NY, Jennifer (Sewall) and husband Philip Elwyn of Atlanta, Georgia, Mary (Sewall) and husband Stephen Berkel of Houston, TX, Jeremy and wife Lisa Sewall of Wellesley, MA and Amanda (Sewall) and husband Mark Holstein of Sheffield, MA as well as his brothers George Ellsworth and wife Paula Sewall and Michael and wife Roberta Dow, both of York, ME. He was the proud Grampy (‘P’) to 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He was the son of George N. Sewall and Bertie Dow née Darke, who both preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his stepmother Ethel “Babe” Sewall née Chapman and his step father Charles Dow.