SCARBOROUGH — Henry James Tilton Jr., 98, died at the Maine Veterans’ Home on July 19 after a period of declining health.

Born May 9, 1916, in Fall River, Massachusetts, to Henry J. and Elsie (Shaw) Tilton, he grew up in Boston and Dedham, Massachusetts. Tilton attended Boston Latin School and graduated from Dedham High School in 1934.

He later attended Rutgers University, graduating in 1939 and earning letters in varsity baseball and freshman football.

Shortly after graduation, Tilton began working in sales with Campbell Soup Co. In 1940, he married Mae Paulsen, and the couple raised two sons, Philip, born in 1941, and Peter, born in 1946.

Tilton joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1943, and became an ensign in command of an 83-foot-cutter that participated in the World War II D-Day landings in France.

Upon returning to civilian life, Tilton continued his sales work, and the family lived in Massachusetts and Rhode Island before moving to Falmouth in 1960. There, he opened a food brokerage business, known as Parker-Tilton, Inc., with William Parker.

After retiring in 1981 and living in Arundel, Tilton became active in town affairs. Over a span of more than 25 years, he served on many committees and was an active volunteer. The Arundel Town Report of 1996 was dedicated to him because of his work.

Tilton had a passion for sailing, enjoyed woodworking, and loved staying close to his family and their activities.

He is predeceased by his parents, his wife in 2002, son Philip in 2004 and brother Philip in 2012.

Tilton is survived by his son, Peter Tilton, of Freeport; grandsons, Shaw Tilton, of Lowell, Massachusetts, Nathaniel Tilton, of Sudbury, Massachusetts, and Joseph Tilton, of Marblehead, Massachusetts; great-grandson, Caden Tilton, of Sudbury, Massachusetts; daughter-in-law, Dawne Tilton, of Kennebunk; nephews, Paul Tilton, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Philip Tilton, of Weymouth, Massachusetts; and step-grandchildren Bethany Upton, of Chicago, and Aaron Upton, of Arundel.

Services with military honors were held graveside at Hope Cemetery in Kennebunk on July 26.

Tilton’s son, Peter, wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the staff of Maine Veterans’ Home for the wonderful care they provided his father.