Stephen Orach

GORHAM - Stephen “Steve” Orach, 93, of Gorham died peacefully on October 23, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. Steve was born in Lansford, PA, on July 16, 1924, to John and Anna (Bokrosh) Orach. Steve graduated from Lansford High School, where he was a member of the Cross Country, Track, and Gym teams, and found time to be an Eagle Scout. In December 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served for 34 months, without a furlough, until the war ended. Steve achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was assigned to an air liaison team in the 1st Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO) of the 4th Marine Division. Steve participated in campaigns on Roi-Namur in the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima; and received a Letter of Commendation for his service on Iwo Jima. He served as President of Maine Downeast Chapter 21 of the 4th Marine Division Association and received their “Above and Beyond” award. Steve received a B.S. in Forestry from the University of Maine, Orono and a Master of Forestry degree from Pennsylvania State University. He was chosen to be a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Xi Sigma Pi, and Gamma Sigma Delta honor societies and was an “M” club member of the University of Maine indoor and outdoor track teams. During his college years, he fought forest fires in California and was one of the thousands that fought the October 1947 fire in Maine. Steve worked for the Maine Forest Service for 5 years before joining S.D. Warren in Westbrook in 1956. He worked as a forester, Asst. Woodlands Manager, and Woodlands Manager for S.D. Warren/Scott Paper Company for 33 years before retiring in 1989. Steve was an Associate Supervisor for the Cumberland County Soil and Conservation Service for 26 years and was a former member of the Maine State Tree Farm Committee. He was a 67 year member of the Society of American Foresters. The New England Society of American Foresters awarded him the 1990 “Austin Cary Practicing Professional Forester Award” and he received an award in 1990 from the Northern Loggers Association for “Outstanding Management of Resources”. Steve met a “Maine” girl and future wife, Myrna Bryant, at White Rock Grange. They married in 1953, which in Steve’s words was “the smartest thing I ever did” and had three children together, two daughters and a son. Steve shared over 59 years of happily married life with Myrna before her death in 2013. Steve was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and spending time with his family. Steve enjoyed regaling others with stories, and had an amazing memory for details. His wit and active conversations will be sorely missed. Steve was member and past Master of the White Rock Grange, and remain actively involved for 67 years. He was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he served as usher for many years. He was a retired 37 year member of the Gorham Fire Department. Steve was predeceased by his wife Myrna, his parents John and Anna, brothers John Jr. and Michael, sisters Anna Thompson, Mary Straka, Helen and infant Anna. He is survived by daughter Patricia DeRoy and husband Gary, Gorham; son Stephen J. Orach and wife Brenda, Gorham; daughter Judith Macias and husband Felipe “Jack” of Burien, WA; and grandchildren Jesse and Ethan Orach, Joey DeRoy, Jennifer (DeRoy) Horne and husband Ben. Visitation will be Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 612 Main Street, Westbrook, followed by funeral services at 11:00am. Burial with military honors will follow at White Rock Cemetery, North Gorham Road, Gorham. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to: Trinity Lutheran Church, 612 Main Street, Westbrook, Maine 04092 or to: White Rock Grange #380, c/o Ann Rust, Secretary 68 Dow Road, Gorham, ME 04038.

Stephen Orach

July 16, 1924 - October 23, 2017

Explore Tributes &
Upcoming Services