Sidney L Stratton (Skip to family, Sid to business associates), 79, passed away at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, on Thursday May 11 after  battling cancer. The family is extremely grateful for the superb care given by Hospice of Southern Maine and the staff at the Gosnell Memorial House.

Skip was born in Cumberland, on November 26, 1937, the son of Bemis J. and Vernie (Grover) Stratton.  Skip was a lifelong resident of Cumberland and attended Greely Institute.

Skip worked as a Field Engineer for NCR retiring in 1993.   He also retired from the Airforce National Guard and was a member of the American Legion.   He served as a volunteer Fire Fighter for the Town of Cumberland for many years and was a member of the Cumberland Farmers Club.   In his spare time Skip would remodel his homes and later build many houses using his custom designs acting as both general contractor and carpenter.   

In retirement Skip enjoyed carpentry and mechanics, however, his greatest passion was simply helping others any way he could.   He was an exceptional finish carpenter and created custom cabinets and furniture. Skip also enjoyed working on his tractors (Big kid toys). He created a spring fed pond that saw many years of use by his children and grandchildren. Skip was referred to as McGyver by younger generations who were continually amazed by his mechanical aptitude and Yankee ingenuity.

Skip cherished family. After being widowed at age 55, Skip created a new life with his second wife Betty Struck, while continuing to watch over his in-laws from his first marriage until they passed away in their 90’s. Skip and Betty enjoyed traveling and spending time with their grandchildren.  They would travel across the state watching sporting events their grandchildren were participating in.    He loved playing cards, going to camp and playing polish horseshoes.  Skip and Betty were married 15 years but together for 23 years.   He truly had a heart of GOLD.

Skip is survived by his wife of 15 years, Betty Struck Stratton; his brother Gene Stratton, both of Cumberland, daughters Maureen Anderson of Falmouth and her husband Dan Green, Lynda Turner of Virginia Beach, VA and her husband Mike Turner, granddaughters Sara Anderson of Bridgton and Julia Anderson of South Portland and a great grandson.  He is also survived by his step son Bill Struck of Florida and a step granddaughters, Kayla and Valerie, Stepdaughter Darlene Struck of Windham and his step grandson David Simmonds and his step granddaughter April Simmonds, step daughter Ethel Ross,  her husband Bill Ross  of Cumberland and step grandson Colby and step granddaughter Scout, step daughter  Anna Love and her husband Jeff Love of Belgrade and step grandsons Nathan and Jacob.   

 He was predeceased by his parents; his wife of 37 years Caroline (Montgomery) Stratton, brother Leroy Stratton and sisters Rita Stratton Eddy, Lorraine Stratton Estes, and Barbara Stratton Winters.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that you make donations in memory of Skip to Gosnell Hospice of Southern Maine or the Cumberland Farmers Club.  A memorial visitation will be held at the West Cumberland Methodist Church on Upper Methodist Road on Friday May 19, 2017 from 9:00 to 11:00 followed by a brief Memorial Service.  A Remembrance Reception will also be held immediately following the service at the parish hall for those that wish to attend. 

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