PORTLAND — Creston E. Knox, 80, of Sanford, died at his home on Feb. 4, 2011.

Creston was born in Rochester, N.H. on March 18, 1930 to Leland and Rena (Jones) Knox. He grew up in Dover and Berwick and attended local schools. He was a decorated U.S. Army veteran and served on the front line during the Korean Conflict.

In 1953, he married Lorraine (Levasseur) Knox and together they raised two children. Creston held several jobs during his life. He was employed for 11 years by the Town of Berwick, 11 years at the Great Falls Bleachery in Somersworth and then for 17 years at the Portsmouth Naval Ship Yard, which he retired from in 1993.

Creston enjoyed reading, working around his house and using his tractor. He was a friendly, outgoing man who enjoyed socializing with people and playing cards with his friends. Creston was devoted to his family and always made spending time with them a priority. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Surviving are his wife Lorraine Knox of Sanford; his son, Dan Knox of Naples; his daughter, Julie McComish of Lebanon; three granddaughters, two grandsons and a great-grandson; and a sister, Roberta Burnelle of Somersworth, N.H.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street in Sanford. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10. Interment will take place at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale. To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Biddeford Free Clinic, P.O. Box 325, Biddeford, ME 04005 or Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery Beautification Fund, C/O Paula Simpson, 919 Main Street, Sanford, ME 04073.