Samuel C. Payne Jr.

He was married to Virginia M. Payne (Bloom) for 61 years.

Sam was born on Cow Island in Portland Harbor, Maine and grew up at Fort Levett on Cushing Island. He attended grade school via boat ride to the mainland, and later attended South Portland High School. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during WWII for 4 years in the China/Burma/India theatre, being honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant in May of 1951.

Upon returning from China he met his future wife, Virginia Mae Bloom, at Bryant-Stratton Business School in Boston. They were married in Lee, NH in 1949.

Sam’s professional life started at Powers Pontiac in Taunton, MA. A few years later he joined Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors where he would work for 30 years throughout New England and the Mid-West, retiring after many relocations and promotions as Sales Manager/Dealer Development in 1986. During his career he and Jini also successfully raised a family with two sons, Greg (1953) and Jeff (1957). In 1987 he and Jini retired to Hendersonville, NC where they enjoyed many years organizing and growing square dance clubs, hiking mountain trails and swimming in their pool. They recently relocated to Cape Cod (Yarmouthport) in 2010.

He was an avid woodworker, wood-carver and Nantucket basket maker, winning many awards for his work in a number of art and craft shows. He never boasted of these talents, always saying, "It’s something to do." He was a loving, caring, humble and supportive husband, father and grandfather.

In addition to his wife he is survived by his sons, Gregory (Susan) Payne of Rapid City, MI and Jeffrey (Julie) Payne of Forestdale, MA. He is also survived by grandchildren, Andrew, Rebecca and Joseph Payne, and Sarah (Chris) St. James, Matthew and Kathryn Payne. A memorial service will be held at Nickerson Bourne funeral home in Sandwich, MA on September 11, 2011 at noon with a brunch reception to follow. Visitation with the family will begin at 11:00 am. Burial will be private at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.

In lieu of flowers a donation in his memory to either The Northern Michigan Veteran’s Transitional Community (www.goodwillnmi.org/vets) or the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust (cst.dav.org) would be warmly and graciously appreciated.