Mr. Hugh Martin Sterling, Jr., age 71, a resident of 718 E. Main Street, Washington, NC died Sunday January 5, 2014 at the home of his daughter located at 4807 Morton Road, New Bern, NC.

A graveside funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday January 12, 2014 at Oakdale Cemetery of Washington officiated by Rev. Lee Kinney. Members of Washington Fire & Rescue will serve as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.

Mr. Sterling was born in Beaufort County on March 27, 1942 son of the late Hugh M. Sterling, Sr. and the late Mary Elizabeth Yert Sterling. He was a graduate of Washington High School. On June 5, 1964 he married the former Sylvia Ann Jordan. Mr. Sterling served his country in the U.S. Navy before working with Washington Fire & Rescue. At the time of his retirement he was Chief of the Department. Following retirement he was owner & operator of the Dry Dock Styling Salon.  Mr. Sterling was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Washington.

Surviving along with his wife Sylvia of New Bern are two daughters: Elizabeth S. Junak and her husband Jeffrey of New Bern and Cynthia S. Slusher and her husband Carl of Berkeley Springs, WV; a brother: Phillip Sterling and his wife Jean of Bath and seven grandchildren: Daniel Junak, Samantha Junak, Christina Junak, Alexandria Junak, Madison Slusher, Sterling Slusher and Hannah Slusher.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests for memorial contributions to be made to Craven County Health Department Foundation, 2818 Neuse Blvd., New Bern, NC 28562.

Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Sterling family.