Jere Lord Dearborn

1944–2025

Jere Dearborn, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on November 30th at their home in Clermont, Florida.  He was surrounded by the love of his wife of 61 years, Sally, and of his family, who had traveled to be with him.
Jere was born in Biddeford, Maine, the only son of Donald and Ruth Dearborn.  He had three sisters, Joan, Janet and Julia. He attended school in Biddeford and played football and track & field throughout high school then attended Maine Maritime Academy on a football scholarship.

Jere married Sally Louise Stoddard in 1964 and they had two children, Susan Dearborn Gajewski of Saco and Jimmy Dearborn of Biddeford. In his early professional career as a manager of W.T. Grant's Department Stores, the family moved many times until he settled back at the same farm at which Jere had been born. In 1972, he and Sally bought a Taylor Rental franchise which they operated in Biddeford and Sanford for twenty-four years. Both Jere and Sally were active members of the American Rental Association for many years. Jere and Sally made innumerable memories together, traveling extensively, enjoying friends and owning camps on lakes in Maine as well as winter homes in Florida.  He also built a log cabin home on the family homestead in which he and Sally lived for 22 years.

Since Jere grew up in and lived most of his life in rural Biddeford, he always had a passion for farm life and animals. He and Sally successfully raised and showed black Percheron draft horses across the country and in Canada. Jere also got great joy out of buying animals like mini horses, potbelly pigs, goats and fish for his four grandchildren.  Later in life, Jere had a renewed passion for riding horses and enjoyed riding and being at the barn with his daughter, Susan.

He loved sports, especially football and was an avid fan of the New England Patriots throughout his life, and watched games religiously.  Jere also loved boats, snowmobiles and motorcycles and with his son Jimmy, rode Harley-Davidson motorcycles in both Maine and in Florida. He reluctantly sold his last motorcycle at age 78.

Jere is survived by his wife, sister Julia, two children, four grandchildren: Hannah, Emily, Matthew and Libby and two great grandchildren: Olivia and Henry, who all fondly called him Grampy. He will be remembered as man who loved his wife and family, was always ready to explore a new interest, and above all, embraced fun with a ready laugh and ever-present grin.

Family funeral services will be held in the spring in Maine. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to South Lake Animal League https://theanimalleague.org/ways-to-help/make-a-cash-donation/