Obituary: Sumner Bernard Elwell
Sumner Bernard Elwell, a lifelong musician and educator, died in Sanford, Maine, on October 11, 2026, at the age of 93.
Elwell, a native of Auburn, began playing music at a young age and went on to study at the University of Michigan, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music. He furthered his training with a master’s degree from Northwestern University. A versatile clarinetist and saxophonist, he performed in numerous symphonies and bands throughout his career and was known for his passion for both jazz and classical repertoire.
For more than three decades, Elwell taught instrumental music in the public schools of Lisbon, Kittery and South Portland, shaping the talents of countless students. In addition to his school duties, he offered private lessons to hundreds of pupils and kept his clarinet in hand well into his nineties, playing until the age of 91.
A devoted family man, Elwell was survived by his son Michael and wife Patricia; his grandchildren Jackson and Kenneth, and their spouses Madison and Jennifer Cosgrove, respectively; and stepchildren Michael MacDonald and wife Sandra, Christy Tibbets, and Lisa MacDonald, along with their own children and grandchildren. His second wife, Linda, died only nine days before him. He also lost his parents, Fleurange and Sumner J. Elwell, his first wife Mary Louisa, his son Robert, and his brother Albert, in earlier years.
Beyond music, Elwell enjoyed reading murder mysteries and was an avid supporter of University of Michigan football.
A family service will be held on a date to be determined. The community of Sanford and the wider Maine music education world will remember Elwell for his dedication to teaching and his lifelong love of music.
