Richard "Rick" A. Sawyer

Richard “Rick” A. Sawyer of Saco passed away August 17, 2026, at the age of 79 after a brief illness.

He was born June 20th, 1947, in Bridgton, Maine, son of Clifford and Anna (Scappaticci) Sawyer. He grew up in Jay, Maine. In 1969 he graduated from Husson College and married Elaine Morin; they had three children: Laurie, Russell, and Carolyn. After his divorce, he married Cornelia Hand Kohler in 1992, and acquired two more children: Brian and David Kohler.

Rick worked in the property/casualty insurance industry for most of his career, first at Maine Bonding, then Hanover of Maine. In 1992 he co-founded Acadia Insurance, which he grew to a multistate property/casualty Insurance company. In 2000, Rick left the insurance industry and became the franchise owner of three UPS Stores, including one in Saco. He retired in 2019.

Rick would never have wanted a fuss made over him, but choosing to be an organ donor is one of the most fitting things he could have done. Rick was a leader all his life—not because he sought attention, but because he was always willing to step up, help others, and give of himself. He freely gave in so many ways, whether it was money, a meal, a place to stay and, perhaps most importantly, his time. He never hesitated to give what he could to make someone else’s life a little better. Knowing that even in his passing he is giving others a chance at life would have meant so much to him. We believe he would be thrilled to know that his final act of generosity could help save lives and give other families more time with the people they love.

Rick leaves behind his brother, Walter Sawyer and his wife Nancy of St. Joseph, Michigan; his wife, Cornelia Sawyer and their blended family: children Laurie Sawyer and her wife Dianne, Russell Sawyer, Carolyn Sawyer and her husband Marc LeBoeuf, Brian Kohler and his wife Stefania, and David Kohler and his wife Joanna Bowersmith; and grandchildren Francesca Petrucci, Geoffrey Waycotte, Gavin Kohler, Alexandra Sawyer, Nicole LeBoeuf, Serena Kohler, Brayden Kohler, Gabriel Kohler, Cameron Kohler and Elizabeth Kohler; and countless friends.

Arrangements are in the care of Cote Funeral Home. Visiting Hours will be from 3PM to 4:30PM on Saturday, August 22nd at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James Street, Saco, with a Celebration of Life following at 4:30PM. A private burial will take place later at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Seeds of Hope, 35 South Street, Biddeford, Maine 04005. https://www.seedsofhope4me.org/donation

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com