LIBERTY – Francis “Frank” Xavier Parker, 82, died Jan. 26, 2008, at Maine General Medical Center, Water-ville, after battling numerous medical challenges. Frank died with a smile on his face surrounded by his loving family. Frank was born Aug. 11, 1925, in Machias, the son of Stephen Erlon Parker and Blanche Morang Parker. He graduated from Fort Fairfield High School in 1944, and moved with his family to the Portland area. Frank served in the U.S. Army from his July 1950 draft to 1952. Frank was married to Diane Houghton from 1950 to 1976, and they raised five children in the Augusta-Gardiner area. During these years, Frank was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church, was a Boy Scout leader and was active in the Oblate Retreat House. Frank’s career as a customer engineer for IBM began in 1952 and ended with his retirement in 1980. He made many friends and touch-ed many lives in his job. Frank married Beverly Feeney, Aug. 25, 1979, and after 28 years, still called her his “bride.” He embraced and was embraced by all of her family. In his “retirement” Frank continued to find camping deeply satisfying. He found many new interests and helped many, many people with his carpentry skills and general outgoing helpfulness, always there when one was in need. Frank was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Belfast. Frank was a man of great faith and he left a legacy of love and laughter. He was predeceased by his parents; and his brothers, Stephen, Donald and Peter. Frank is survived by his bride of 28 years, Beverly of Liberty; son, Michael and wife, Tonya, of Hatch Bend, Fla.; daughter, Elizabeth and husband, John Campbell, of South China; daughter, Susan and husband, Johnnie Tarrant, of Jacksonville, Fla.; daughter, Jane and fianc?, Winslow Pillsbury, of Cape Elizabeth; son, Gregory and wife, Jerrie, of Albion; stepdaughter, Joanne and hus-band, Don Woodbury, of Palermo; stepson, John Feeney, of Knox; stepdaughter, April Hatch and fianc?, Eddie Furbush, of Brooks; stepdaughter, Twila and husband, Crosby Damon, of Liberty; brother, Linus of Grand Prairie, Texas; brother, James of Old Orchard Beach; sister, Mary Lou Groesbeck of Hamilton, Mass.; and many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. The family wishes to thank the staff at Seton Rehab and Thayer campuses of Maine General Medical Center for all the wonderful care and tremendous kindness they showed Frank and his family. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 81 Court St., Belfast. Refreshments will be after the service for a time of remembrance. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Liberty Volunteer Ambulance Service of Liberty, and the Alzheimer’s Association, 170 Route 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105. Arrange-ments are under the care of Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast. <
FRANCIS ‘FRANK’ XAVIER PARKER
