Tibbetts, Sterling R., 87, April 7, 2014. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 12, 2014, at 10 a.m. at the Parish of the Precious Blood in Caribou, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Caribou Scout Hall.
CARIBOU – After a long and fulfilling life, Sterling R. Tibbetts passed away at the age of 87 on April 7, 2014. He was born in Caribou, Maine on August 21, 1926 to Forest Sidney Tibbetts and Emily Ouellette Tibbetts.
Sterling was very involved with clubs and activities at Caribou High School. He was the President of his graduating class of 1944. He was eager to serve in the war effort and was in the United States Army Air Corps from 1944-1946.
He graduated with honors from Bryant College in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He returned home to manage the family fertilizer and insecticide business. In 1956, he founded Tibbetts TV & Appliance. During the company’s 40 years of operation, Sterling strived to provide superior goods and services.
In 1951, Sterling married the love of his life, Reta Daigle Tibbetts. They were life-long companions until she passed away in 1996. Sterling and Reta loved to experience the world around them. Whether it was camping on the Allagash or riding a camel in Morroco, they shared many adventures. They travelled to over 22 countries.
Sterling loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a Registered Maine Guide for 25 years. During his retirement, he had no reservations about canoeing and camping by himself in the Florida Everglades.
Sterling was very involved with his community. He served as a lieutenant in the original Caribou Police Reserves. He was the President of the Caribou Hotel Association. He was a 61-year member of the Rotary Club of Caribou. He served on the Caribou Planning Commission, Caribou Zoning Board, and Caribou School Board. He was on the Holy Rosary Church Building Committee and Holy Rosary Parish Council. Sterling was a board member for the Aroostook Savings and Loan Association for 18 years. He was honored to serve as President of the Members for the Association which his father founded in 1936.
Sterling was predeceased by his older brother, Forest S. Tibbetts of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; his sister, June McNeal of Medford, OR; two half-sisters, Pearl and Bertha; and son-in-law, Paul Robertson. Sterling is survived by his brother, Bernard Tibbetts and wife, Pat Tibbetts of Norfolk, VA; sister-in-law, Jean Tibbetts of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; two children – daughter, Kim Robertson of Caribou; son, Kirk and his wife, Shelly of Caribou; three grandchildren – Nichole Kelley Sirois and her husband, Greg Sirois of Hampden, ME; Michael Kelley and his wife, Cassie of Orono, ME; and Kyle Tibbetts of Caribou. Sterling had three great-grandchildren – Caleb, Joshua, and Claire.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at 10 a.m. at the Parish of the Precious Blood in Caribou. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Caribou Scout Hall on Otter Street.
