Paul Elroy Sanborn, son of the late Carl A. and Myrtie (Heath) Sanborn, born in Wilmot on July 3, 1933, passed away June 22, 2013 at home with his family around him. Paul was 80 years old.

Paul graduated from Andover High School in 1951. Paul spent his working years in the auto repair business. He started his career at age 18 at Arthur S. Little, Inc. in New London. He spent many years working at James Grappone, Inc. and John Grappone Ford in Concord. In 1976, he opened the Blackwater Auto Body on Pancake Street in Wilmot with his son, Jeffrey P. Sanborn.

His love of family carried him throughout his lifetime. Paul married Barbara N. Laughy in 1951, and they spent all 62 years of their married life in Wilmot. Paul and Barbara had three children: John William of Vermont, Jeffrey Paul and Bonnie Lynn (Hogan) Sanborn of Wilmot, and Judith Ardell (Sanborn) Shedd of East Andover. They have five grandchildren; Captain Melvin James K. and Hyeran Sanborn of Arizona, Cristel Jean Sanborn of Maine, Victoria Hope (Sanborn) and Michael Pozniak of Newbury, Garrett Paul of Boston, Massachusetts, and Elijah Deane Shedd of East Andover. Paul and Barbara were recently blessed with the birth of their first great-granddaughter, Samantha Hope Pozniak.

Paul also had special hugging rights for four lovely ladies: Anita G. (Huntoon-Sanborn) Wise of Missouri, Patricia King Eaves of Sunapee, Ellen Phillips Sanborn of Wilmot, and Anne Marie Thomas of Wilmot.

Paul has a surviving sister, Gloria Jean Sanborn of St. Petersburg, Florida, and a brother, Ashley, of Milford. Paul was predeceased by his sister, Norma Elizabeth (Sanborn) Howard and by two brothers, Richard William and Kenneth Bruce Sanborn.

There are no calling hours. Graveside services will be held on Friday, June 28, 2013 at 3 PM in the Pine Hill Cemetery in Wilmot with the Reverend John Wagner officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wilmot Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 33, Wilmot 03287.

To sign an online guest book, please visit ChadwickFuneralService.com