Dr. David Charles Sortor of Sherborn passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at his home with his loving family by his side. He was seventy-nine years old.
DMD with Oral Surgical Associates of Framingham, MA for 35years, the Sherborn Inn owner and creator for 26 years, a resident and a leader of the Sherborn community for over 50 years, a loving father for 58 years and soul-mate to Rosemary (Crouthamel) Sortor for 59 years.
David cherished his friendships with his many great and wonderful friends. A compassionate and generous man, he was loved by all who knew him. He loved his country and his service to the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant.
He trained for Oral Surgery at Tuft's Dental in 1963; stopped pulling teeth and performing late night fractures in 2000. By that time he had established the Sherborn Inn (1988-2015) so there would be a place for all to celebrate a life event or just to stop in and see a neighbor.
The Inn was his crowning achievement, what he truly enjoyed in life, being amongst people to share his warmth, friendliness and humor. His belief about life was that we are here to help each other, and to contribute to society.
The Inn allowed him to spread his innate goodness to all.
Outdoor activity also consumed him. An avid sailor his entire life, beginning in New London CT where he grew up and sailed with his sister Katherine, he spent later years sailing with his family and friends in and around Nantucket Sound and Islands, and then many more years sailing out of Boothbay Harbor, ME (and even a stint sailing across the Atlantic with a group of 5 great friends).
It was the Maine coast that fulfilled his true love of the sport and provided the playground he would use to entertain his friends who appreciated the fog and craggy shoreline like he did. The 'Blue Whale', a 32' Seawind Ketch, was his second home from June to September for 40 years.
He was rugged and handsome and athletic. A sportsman from early on, he played football and wrestled at Choate in Wallingford, CT (class of '52), and later on became a “not-so-bad-at-times” tennis player.
Throughout his life he developed many more skills, simple to the complex. From ping-pong, felling trees, and flag raising, to a piano player, pilot and navigator.
His interests ran wide and passions deep, always willing to take the lead and commit to a task, especially to his beloved community of Sherborn.
Perhaps his greatest joy, though, was his marriage to Rosemary. Discovering each other at Colby College (class of 1956), they were truly in love and went on to create a life together that was full and rich and complete.
As for his children, they were given all the opportunities to enjoy life to its fullest. One of Mr. Sortor’s life credo's was 'Carpe Diem'. He did indeed seize every day, while we all benefited from the many wonderful achievements of his life.
He was the devoted husband of Rosemary (Crouthamel) Sortor, loving father of Debra C. Parnon and her husband Thomas J. of Darien, CT, John D. Sortor and his wife Denise of Burlington, VT, Mary Suzanne O’Malley and her husband Bill of Medfield.
Cherished grandfather of Russell, Eric and Geoffrey Parnon, Cassandra and Jacqueline Sortor, and Caitin, Sean, Jake and Brian O’Malley. Brother of Katherine Prokop and her late husband James of Greenwich, CT and brother-in-law of John “Jake” Crouthamel and his wife Carol of Hanover, NH.
A Funeral Service will be held in the Pilgrim Church, 25 S. Main St., Sherborn, MA on Saturday, January 17th at 11:00AM. Relatives and friends respectfully invited.
Interment is private and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in David’s name may be made to a charity of your choice.
For directions or to send the family a condolence please visit www.everettfuneral.com Arrangements by the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St., at Natick Common.