RAYMOND — Mr. S. Peter Spalding, businessman, community leader, and beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend died in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Dec. 12, 2011. Mr. Spalding resided in Raymond. He was 79.

Pete, as he was known to family and friends, was born Swinton Peter Spalding on New Year’s Day in Portland, in 1932. He spent his early years attending Waynflete School, helping with the World War II Youth Effort in Portland, and visiting relatives in England and Gloucester, Mass., during school vacations. He later attended the Holderness School in New Hampshire, and went on to Dartmouth College, where he majored in geography, was an avid member of the cross-country ski team and the Outing Club, and was president of Gamma Delta Chi Fraternity.

While at Dartmouth, Pete met Hildegarde “Heidi” Stubbs of Cumberland Foreside. The two married in 1954 and settled in Portland. Pete began working for Sun Oil Company and then Casco Bank. He later secured a manufacturing position with the C.F. Hathaway Shirt Company in Waterville, where the Spaldings lived for 32 years, raising six children.

Mr. Spalding was an attentive and extremely generous family man who ran a tight ship and inspired his children to challenge themselves academically, athletically, and civically. Pete rarely missed a weekend or school vacation with his family, skiing at Sugarloaf Mountain or enjoying summer activities on Lake Sebago. He taught his children to play cribbage, to deal with the hands they were dealt, to appreciate what they had to eat, to be organized, and to attend to the needs of others.

Mr. Spalding had a wide range of philanthropic interests and supported scores of charitable causes. He was actively involved in Dartmouth alumni affairs including membership on the Dartmouth Alumni Council, class and club activities. For many years he hosted alumni celebrations at the Spaldings’ summer home on Sebago, and advised Maine high school students to attend Dartmouth. He also served many other civic organizations as: president of the Waterville Area Red Cross; director of the Waterville Area United Fund; director and vice president of the Central National Bank (now part of Key Bank); president of the Sugarloaf Ski Club; and president of the Sugarloaf Ski Foundation. Mr. Spalding was actively engaged in hosting the World Cup Ski Championships at Sugarloaf in 1970. He was also active in many trade associations.

Mr. Spalding retired as director of Special Markets for Hathaway in 1994, after 36 years with the company. His division supplied career apparel to some 35 airlines, as well as cruise lines, hotels and casinos. Mr. Spalding owned a majority interest in Branded Apparel, a company that specialized in apparel sales to the National Premiums market. He was also president of Branded Apparel Special Markets, a direct mail company, and president of Branded Apparel Management Services, operating outlet stores in New England and Puerto Rico.

During his professional career, Mr. Spalding developed a remarkable network of friends and business associates around the world who revered him as an honorable, trustworthy and gentle man.

Mr. and Mrs. Spalding traveled extensively during their marriage, enjoying skiing, sailing, golf and wildlife around the world. Whenever possible, Mr. Spalding enjoyed a good evening of blackjack. He was an avid golfer and member of the Waterville Country Club where he maintained many close friendships. Unable to play in recent years, Mr. Spalding drove to Waterville every other week to enjoy lunch with his golfing buddies. He also loved to sail, and had many memorable outings with close friends on Penobscot Bay.

Perhaps his proudest achievement was to have sent all of his six children to Dartmouth College. That accomplishment represents a record that stands to this day.

Mr. Spalding was predeceased by his beloved sister, Elizabeth “Liz” Spalding, who passed away in Portland this past September after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Mr. Spalding visited Liz at St. Joseph’s Manor regularly for seven years.

Mr. Spalding is survived by his wife Hildegarde “Heidi” Stubbs Spalding of Raymond; daughters Gretchen Spalding Wetzel of Lyme, N.H., Alexandra Spalding Norton of Woodstock, Vt., Hilary Spalding Fischer of Strafford, Pa. and Heather Spalding Sugg of Palermo; sons Peter Laurence Spalding of Colt’s Neck, N.J. and Richard William Spalding II of Newburyport, Mass.; and nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Raymond Fire and Rescue, 1443 Roosevelt Trail, Raymond, ME 04071 or Camp Sunshine, 35 Acadia Rd., Casco, ME 04015 (www.campsunshine.org).