Blue Hill, Maine - Richard Stephen Gurin, known as "Rich" to his friends, passed away peacefully at the Parker Ridge Retirement Community on March 8, 2026, after bravely living with Parkinson's disease for many years. He was 85 years old. Son to Samuel and Ceilia Gurin, Rich was born on August 8, 1940, in Philadelphia.

He grew up in the Philadelphia suburb of Swarthmore, where he built lifelong friendships at Swarthmore High School before attending Hamilton College in upstate New York. Rich spent his summers in Downeast Maine at his family's seasonal home in Sorrento, across the waters of Frenchman Bay from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. While part of a group of teenage boys known as the "thundering herd," Rich embraced the value of being part of a community, which informed his service to others throughout his life.

His competitive spirit and passion for sailing earned him a reputation along the coast as a winning skipper, with boxes of racing pennants attesting to his prowess at the helm of Wee Scots and One Design S-boats. You can still spot one of these century-old wooden sloops on a breezy summer day on Frenchman Bay. Once in college, he shared his love of sailing as an instructor at the Bar Harbor Yacht Club, where he met his future wife, Susan Swartz, of Philadelphia and Somesville.

After graduating from Hamilton College in 1962, Rich joined Procter & Gamble in their sales division. His rising career took Rich, Susie and their growing family from New York and New Jersey to Cincinnati, Chicago, and Kentucky, as his executive responsibilities expanded to leadership of brands like Pringles and Orange Crush. After 20 years with P&G, Rich took the helm of the Crayola Crayon brand as CEO of Binney & Smith. During his sixteen years there, he expanded the company into a global leader in fine art and coloring products, helped revitalize downtown Easton, PA, and furnished his grandchildren with a never-ending supply of crayons and markers.

A selfless leader with a strong motivation to help others achieve success, Rich found a passion for mentoring and giving back. He gladly served on many boards, including Lafayette College, Hamilton College, Jackson Labs, Blue Hill Hospital, and Parker Ridge Retirement Community, to name just a few. He was also honored to serve on President Clinton's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

And yet all these experiences were always going to lead Rich and Susie back to Maine's ruggedly beautiful coast, where they retired to Parker Point on Blue Hill Bay. Rich loved being on the water, playing golf, and providing mentorship and service to myriad local organizations. Winter escapes included many sailing cruises and vacations in Tortola and Florida, always with friends and family along for the fun.

Rich is survived by his wife and partner of 65 years, Susan Gurin; their children Anne Gurin Tall, Steve Gurin and Matt Gurin, all continue the family's love for Sorrento and Downeast Maine, fostering that tradition among Rich and Susie's nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A private memorial service is planned for Rich this summer in Sorrento. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Condolences may be expressed at jordanfernald.com