FRANK A. SMITH JR. PEORIA, Ariz. and PRESQUE ISLE – Frank A. Smith Jr. died March 5, 2004, after a brief illness. He was born Nov. 15, 1917, in Somerville, Mass., the son of Frank A. and Irma C. (Richards) Smith. Frank was a graduate of Presque Isle High School, Class of 1936, and the University of Maine at Orono, Class of 1938. He started and operated a successful farm implement business in Caribou in 1938 continuing until 1941, when World War II broke out. Frank served in the U.S. Army (Ordinance) as a captain in the European Theater from 1941-1946 and then returned home to Presque Isle to enter the firm of Gould and Smith, Inc., a farm implement sales and manufacturing company from 1946-1972. Upon retirement Frank and his wife, Barbara, moved to Bradenton, Fla. Not long after their move, Frank realized that his life to be complete had to be busy and with that in mind, completed several years as credit manager for Blake Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, retiring in 1987. During that time Frank volunteered many hours in their Community Village which brought them many close friends and a very active social life which they both enjoyed. Subsequently they moved to Peoria, Ariz. During his lifetime Frank belonged to many organizations. Life Member Trinity Masonic Lodge, Anah Temple, Bangor, Sahib Temple, Sarasota, Fla.; Presque Isle City Council 1948-1951; Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce 1947-1972; Presque Isle Rotary Club 1947-1972; Chairman, Building Committee A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital; Board Member, Maine State Chamber of Commerce; Elks Club, Bradenton, Fla. 1978-1987. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Barbara E. (Woodman) Smith; a brother, Robert N. Smith and a brother-in-law, Vernum E. Woodman. He is survived by his daughter, Susan and husband, John McCauley, of Peoria, Ariz.; his son, David and wife, Phyllis, of Caribou; four grandchildren, Faith Ann Lord of Peoria, Ariz., Michelle Mortenson and husband, Niles, of Logandale, Nev.; Kathryn Parker and husband, Ryan, of Logan, Utah; Stephen Smith of Caribou; three great-grandchildren. Also surviving Frank are his two sisters, June Smith and Nannette Colton. He is remembered in many special ways by his nieces and nephews, Mary Smith; long-time friend and sister-in-law; brothers-in-law, Aubrey Smith and John Colton; and childhood friends, John Dow and Milton McRae. One of the highlights of Frank’s life in “The County” was trekking or flying into Harrow Lake for hunting, fishing and friends-of those he had many. Frank so enjoyed being in the company of children of all ages and he particularly loved entertaining the younger ones with his magic. At family gatherings, Frank was a kind of Pied Piper at the event. He could quiet an infant as well as gather a few on his lap for a story; with the older children benefiting from his camping and fishing days. We all knew when “Uncle Frank” or “Grampy” was around by his trademark, whistling. As he would say many times, “Those were the good old days, for sure.” Frank will lovingly be remembered by all who knew him. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions in Frank’s memory may be made to the Shriner’s Hospitals, care of Anah Temple Shrine, PO Box 735, Bangor, ME 04401-0735.
FRANK A. SMITH JR.
