Passages

Stanley Hill, Francis Smith, Zelda Poliquin

By Rev. Sue Murphy

Stanley E. Hill Jr.

Stanley E. Hill Jr., 81, of Sanford, passed away on Oct.17, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford. Stanley was born on June 2, 1942, the son of the late Stanley and Edna (Cram) Hill in Sanford. He grew up in Alfred and attended local schools, graduating from Sanford High School in 1960. After high school, Stanley enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served proudly on the USS Barry during the Cuban Missile Crisis. A hard and gifted worker, he was a master welder, had a diverse career in construction, with a particular focus on heavy equipment and later specializing in concrete mixers and the installation of batch plants. Stanley enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He loved to cook, was a gifted carpenter, and had a passion for hunting deer and fishing. He had a great sense of humor and a talent for playing jokes on people while maintaining an unflinching, straight face. Intelligent and caring, Stanley was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. To his family, he was simply “The Best.” He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 40 years, Patricia M. Hill of Sanford, children Terri Ponds of Sanford, Barbara Angers of Sanford, Christina Jordan of Cornish, and Peter Ouellette of Cornish, many grandchildren and extended family and friends. Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023 at 10 am. with a memorial service at 11 am. at Carll-Heald and Black Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will immediately follow at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Springvale. Read his full obituary at . https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/stanley-hill.

Francis M. Smith

Francis M. “Frank” Smith, 62 of Sanford, passed away at his home on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, surrounded by the warmth of his family following a lengthy illness. Born in Newton, Mass., on Oct. 31, 1960, Frank grew up immersed in the close-knit bonds of family as one of the six children of John and Irene Smith. This upbringing fostered a profound sense of family. A dedicated provider, Frank was employed for many years as a heavy equipment operator. There wasn’t anything or any project that Frank could not handle. He was never one to shy away from hard work, always prioritizing his family’s needs over his own. He and his devoted wife, Deborah “Debbie” Smith of Sanford, were a team for 41 years and were blessed with five children who Frank affectionately called the “manoganites” — Frankie of Sanford, Kelly Davis of Newton Mass., Russell Smith of Sanford, Melissa Lovejoy of Sanford and Michelle Smith of Shapleigh. He is also survived by many grandchildren and extended family members and friends. Visitation was held on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St., Springvale. Read his full obituary at https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/francis-smith.

Zelda Poliquin

Zelda Poliquin, 95, passed away on Oct. 8, 2023, at The Lodges Healthcare in Springvale. A loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she touched the lives of many with her warmth and kindness. She was born in Sanford on April 4, 1928, to Florence and Joseph Stone. She married her first husband, Homer Gauthier, and they shared many years together until his passing in August 1990. She later found love once more with her second husband, Joseph Poliquin, who she cherished until his passing in January 2005. During her career, Zelda worked diligently and rose through the ranks at Sanford Trust Company and later Northeast Bank, where she served as a loan officer and vice president. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life; she was a member of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Sanford, where she found solace and community. Zelda is survived by her loving children, Tom Gauthier and his wife Pam (Lizotte) of Springvale, and Bob Gauthier and his wife Sara-Lea (Otis) of Sanford, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren A graveside service was held at Riverside Cemetery in Springvale on Oct. 21, 2023. Read her full obituary at https://blackfuneralhomes/obituaries/zelda-poliquin.