Howard “Rusty” Rutherford

Howard “RUSTY” Rutherford

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Howard “Rusty” Rutherford who suffered a heart attack on 10/31/2026. He was a son, brother, father, fiancé and friend to so many and will be greatly missed.

Rusty was born on October 1, 1982, and raised in South Portland. He loved the SP Boys and Girls Club and spent a great amount of time there with other neighborhood kids. The family spent a lot of time camping, hunting and fishing together, often bringing along friends. He was proud in helping his father build the camp that we spent so much time visiting. He had a true love of sports from a very young age and always played with his whole heart, most often, side by side with his brother. He always felt that together, they were unstoppable. Rusty also shared a love for trucks and muscle cars with his grandfather. A wonderful hobby that brought their two generations together.

Rusty attended both Mahoney Middle School and South Portland High School graduating in 2001 and St Josephs College. He played baseball from Tee Ball through College and always had a love for Center Field. Not only did he cover center field like a vacuum, he could hit the ball. I mean really hit the ball. His favorite sport though was Football. He was fierce on the gridiron and loved being part of Red Riot Football where he was part of the 1999 State Championship team. He served as a Captain his Senior Year which would also be Coach Wolfgram’s final year coaching at SPHS. He was coach and mentor Rusty admired greatly. Following high school, Rusty played college Baseball for two years with St Josephs College where he continued his Centerfield position along with some pitching and dabbled in Semi-Pro Football with the Raging Bulls. Most recently, Rusty was inducted into the South Portland Football Hall of Fame. He considered it an honor and was so proud to be selected and was looking forward to accepting this award.
Rusty had one son, Hazen, who carries on not only the name, but the beautiful curly red hair and mannerisms. He also shared a love for trucks and cars with his father, and they talked about teaching him to plow snow this winter and just spending time together.

Rusty worked along side his father and brother as a builder for many, many years. He was a very talented carpenter; however, his heart moved in a different direction upon meeting his fiancé, Shaundra. While working in Bath, they met and he made his way to Pemaquid to be with her. He loved being near and on the water and found employment that fulfilled that love. He became a stern man on a lobster boat out of New Harbor and in true Rusty fashion, he wanted to be the best. He spent many nights soaking away the days sore muscles after trying to outwork those half his age, which won’t surprise anyone who knew him.

Rusty’s love for pleasure fishing continued throughout his life where he would ice and fly fish at his parent’s pond in Gorham. He also spent time fishing on Sebago Lake including the final days before his passing with a lifelong friend from South Portland.

We will forever be grateful for the 44 years we had with him and will miss him terribly; however, we take comfort in knowing he is at peace in heaven with our Lord.

Rusty is predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Floyd & Beverly Rutherford, an uncle, Floyd Rutherford and cousin, Miguel Torres.

He is survived by his son Hazen Rutherford of Waterboro, his parents Howard & Stacy (Johns) Rutherford of Gorham, his brother and wife, Matthew & Emily Rutherford of Raymond, his maternal grandparents George & Linda Johns of Windham, and his fiancé Shaundra Vanella of Pemaquid. He is also survived by many aunts and uncles: Kim Hatch & Tim Wedge, George & Peg Johns, Lisa & Jim Jackson, Maryjane Rutherford, Beth Rutherford, Leslie Rutherford, Martha & Gino Amoroso, Jaime & Patricia (Rutherford) McCallop and 28 Cousins.

Visiting Hours will be held from 12pm – 2pm on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Conroy-Tuly Walker Funeral Homes of South Portland, 1024 Broadway; a brief service will begin at 2pm with the opportunity to share a memory.