Steve Sherlock, who spent more than 40 years in a variety of reporting roles at the Sun Journal in Lewiston, died Sunday.

Sherlock, 69, was remembered by colleagues as a “Swiss Army knife” journalist who could turn out important and timely reporting on any topic, as well as a kind and quiet co-worker whose experience guided younger journalists.

“In the community, he was known for being a talented, accurate, thoughtful writer,” said Mark Mogensen, deputy managing editor at the Sun Journal who worked with Sherlock for decades. “At the Sun Journal, Steve was known as the person you could trust with any story and any job. He could do it all, and was often called on because he could handle anything.”

Sun Journal Managing Editor Ben Bragdon called Sherlock a good man and a good journalist.

“During my short time here, Steve proved himself to be a source of stability and professionalism in the newsroom,” Bragdon said. “He gave so much to his community over his long career, and he enjoyed doing it.”

Sherlock, who previously battled cancer, died peacefully at his home in Lewiston. He leaves behind his wife, Paula Masselli, three stepdaughters, four stepgrandchildren and other extended family.

Masselli said she and Sherlock had known each other since high school, but “fate” kept them apart. When they finally reconnected in 2011, they were engaged within a year.

“Our first date lasted 11 hours at a local restaurant, where we reminisced on the last 36 years we missed each other,” she said, describing their reunion as “like a Hallmark movie.”

“He was a quiet person, but I’ve had over 600 people send me condolences since Sunday. It’s amazing how many people he influenced,” she said.

Among those offering condolences was U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.

“I’m sad to hear of the passing of Steve Sherlock, who dedicated so much of his life to keeping the residents of Androscoggin County well informed,” Collins said in a statement to the Sun Journal. “My heart goes out to Steve’s wife Paula, the Lewiston Sun Journal newsroom, and his family and loved ones.”

Born in Queens, New York, in 1956, Sherlock first came to Lewiston to live with his grandparents. His father served in the U.S. Air Force, and later worked as a journalist for the Associated Press.

Sherlock graduated from Lewiston High School in 1974, and attended Purdue University. While there, he was involved in student government, and was president of his dorm of 1,600 students.

Before becoming a journalist, Sherlock coached high school track in Lisbon and Brunswick by day and worked as an auditor at a local hotel by night.

“He was my first track coach when I was 10 years old,” said Scott Albert, superintendent for Regional School Unit 73 in Jay. “He was an important role model for me growing up and it was because of the foundation that he and others gave me that I have been able to be successful in life.”

Because of his coaching career, Sherlock was well known to local journalists, and when a position opened at the Sun Journal he was encouraged to apply.

His first byline appeared in September 1984 and in the years that followed, he held roles of sports editor, entertainment section editor, news reporter, news editor, early morning web editor, page designer and more.

Most recently, Sherlock covered Androscoggin County government and Lewiston-Auburn education.

Russ Dillingham, a Sun Journal photographer who worked with Sherlock for decades, said Sherlock was “a good soul” who had unrivaled institutional knowledge.

“He remembered people, places and events that I long forgot about, and wasn’t shy to speak up and correct someone when they quoted something wrong,” he said. “Humble and shy, Steve was never the one in the room everyone noticed, but if you took the time to talk with him, he was the most interesting. We both shared a love of beer and sports and local folklore.”

Besides daily stories reporting on timely news, Sherlock possessed great knowledge about the military and other topics, and he took on in-depth historical projects like a 2016 report on the Durham-based religious cult Shiloh, and a 2025 story on three Lewiston soldiers that died in France on the same day during World War I.

Sherlock’s interest in the military stemmed from his grandfather, a veteran of both World War I and World War II.

Judy Meyer, a former longtime editor at the Sun Journal, said even though Sherlock was quiet he could relate to people and get them to tell their stories.

“When we assigned features, particularly on veterans, he could really pull the humanity out of them, and I always found it delightful to read,” she said.

Added Joe Gromelski, Sun Journal sports editor when Sherlock was hired, “Steve was a really nice, easy-going guy and a solid journalist. The Sun-Journal was lucky to have him. He did well in so many different jobs. . . . I was especially impressed with how he handled the veterans beat, which requires knowledge and a special sensitivity.”

Funeral visitation hours for Sherlock will be held from 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the Fortin & Pinette Group funeral home in Lewiston.

Staff Writer Steve Collins contributed to this report.