CUMBERLAND — Samuel A. “Sam” Wilkinson III, 83, died Nov. 17 following an illness of several months.

On Aug. 20, 1926, he was born in Philadelphia, son of the Margaret (Jones) Wilkinson, and Dr. Samuel A. Wilkinson, Jr.

His family moved to Brookline, Mass., in 1930 when his father joined the staff of the Lahey Clinic in Boston.

After graduating from Brookline High School, he was recruited by the Navy in 1943. Following the war, he attended Dartmouth, graduating in 1948.

In 1951, he received his law degree from Boston University. He also continued to serve in the Naval Reserve until the Korean War escalated, and was commissioned as a gunnery officer aboard the U.S.S. Furse.

He had a long career in real estate and trust law in Boston, Portland and Lewiston. Subsequently he served as clerk of the federal bankruptcy court in Portland and Bangor until his retirement in 1999.

His favorite sport was yachting, and over the years traveled to the northern Maritimes and south to the Bahamas.

Fearless of the elements, he introduced his stepsons Derek, Matt and Phil to the perils of the sea, the air, skiing and hunting

Colleagues will remember him as a steady leader who was dignified, sincere and honest.

He served as an example on how to love others and treat those you love with devotion.

Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Sally (Butterworth) Wilkinson; four daughters, Kate, Sarah, Laura and Anne, and their families; three stepsons, Derek, Matt, and Phil and their families; two brothers, Dan of Memphis, Tenn., and Bob of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, and their families; and parents-in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Butterworth of Cumberland.

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