LEWISTON — James Bruce Sargent of Auburn, the son of Walter Field Sargent and Lona Ray Sargent died Saturday, June 30. He had been a resident of D’Youville Pavillion for several months prior to his death. He was born Dec. 13, 1942, in Lewiston, Maine. Sargent was a 1961 graduate of Edward Little High School, Auburn, and earned a bachelor of science degree in agriculture from the University of Maine at Orono in 1965. Following high school graduation, he enjoyed travel throughout the country, including Alaska. He then worked in Bar Harbor as a research assistant at Jackson Laboratory. Sargent later returned to the family farm on the North River Road in Auburn, where he managed garden crops and the family wood lot. He also worked as custodian at the United Methodist Church in Auburn.

He was passionate about working with the local immigrant population, and devoted many hours to tutoring in life skills and English as a second language. He was known for his poetry, and was a longtime member of the Maine Poetry Fellowship. Home boat building was also a special interest, including row boats, sailboats and kayaks. Sargent was also a craftsman in small wood, leather and reed projects. He was a volunteer and advocate for the Androscoggin Land Trust, and was also a member of the United Methodist Church in Auburn.

He is survived by a son, Thomas Sargent, and wife, Jodi, and two grandchildren: Simone and Arlo of Bar Harbor, Maine, and a brother, David Sargent, and his wife, Judy, of Auburn. Also surviving are niece Laurie Guay, and husband, Ron, of Jay; niece Susan Robichaud and husband, Rick, of Auburn; and many great nieces, nephews and cousins.

James Bruce Sargent