Alton Eugene Sabean

Alton "Al" Eugene Sabean, 88, died peacefully surrounded by his family after a yearlong illness at the Greenwood Nursing Home, December 7, 2003. While there he had been lovingly cared for by wonderful people who came to know him as 'Papa'. He was born in Eastport, April 30, 1915 a son of Archibald and Mariah (Mahar) Sabean and was raised and educated in Eastport. Alton served with the U.S. Navy as a cook during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Upon returning from active duty; he was employed as a television/service technician. Soon afterwards, Alton served as a cook in the Merchant Marines for eight years.Together with his wife Romelda, Alton owned the Harbor Lunch Restaurant in Portland and through his years was a chef in several other Portland establishments. In the early 70's, the Sabeans moved to Sanford and opened the Sunnyview Restaurant, later becoming the SunnSide Restaurant. Some of his favorite activities included golfing with his son Tim before suffering a stroke in 1981, playing cards, watching the Red Sox, and John Wayne movies, buying flashlights (one can never have too many), collecting coins and making people laugh with his wonderful sense of humor. 'Alton Eugene' loved his family and always put them first. He liked to cook, but he especially loved to 'eat' and the combination of 'Family & Food' has always been a tradition the family will continue to carry on.Family survivors include his son: Timothy Sabean of Sanford; two daughters and their husbands, , Sandra and Joe Martel of Sanford; Terry and Peter Greenhalgh of No. Berwick; A daughter-in-law, Sandy Morin of Springvale; A brother and sister-in-law, Stuart and Myrthro Sabean of Ocala, Fl.; and a special cousin: Muriel Irelan of Clearwater, Fl..His grandchildren: Jody, Tammy and Peter Martel; Randy, Ricky and Dr. Darcey Dolliver; Roger, Kevin, Jordan, and Skyler Greenhalgh; Jamie and Jennifer Landez. His great grandsons: Derek and Devin Dolliver. He was predeceased by his wife of nearly 60 years, Romelda in 1997.A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 9th. At the Heald Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale at 2:00 p.m. Friends and family are invited to a calling hour beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be later in the spring at Oakdale Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Greenwood Center Activities Fund, 1142 Main Street, Sanford, ME 04073..