FRANKLIN RALPH MANZO SR.

MILLINOCKET – Franklin Ralph Manzo Sr., 74, walked into heaven with his Lord and added his voice to the heavenly choir Oct. 17, 2008. He died peacefully in the home where he was brought up and loved. There never was a kinder, sweeter man. He was always ready to give a hand to any in need. Franklin worked at Great Northern Paper Co., for 43 years, retiring July 1994, and spent much of his retirement years puttering around the home he loved. He was predeceased by his father, Guiseppe “Joseph”; his mother, Emma; two sisters, Antoinette and Stella; as well as brother-in-law, Kenneth Goode; and sister-in-law, Patricia Manzo. Franklin proudly served his country in the Armed Forces. He spent two years in Bad Kissingen, Germany, during America’s Cold War, serving with the 7th Artillery Division of the U.S. Army. He and his wife, Gale, held a Thursday night prayer meeting in their home for 36 years. Franklin was a quiet man, who died as he lived, quietly. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 47 years, Gale; his daughter, Lynn McIntyre and her husband, Rodney; and his son, Franklin Manzo Jr. His grandchildren, Mandy and Sean Waltz, Nicole Jenson, Brittany Valeriani, Jennifer Manzo and Gabriel Manzo, will also miss his loving ways. Franklin will also be missed by his great-grandchildren, Connor, Brodie and Brooklyn Jenson, Noah, Cam’ren and Faith Valeriani, and Elise Doughty; his brother, Earnest and wife, Jeanette; brother, Richard and wife, Loretta; sister, Rita Goode; and sister, Sister Mary Manzo, RSR; and his brother-in-law, Harold Lyons Jr. and wife, Paulette. Franklin has many nieces and nephews, who will miss his tenderness. Franklin loved much and was much loved. He loved his family, his God, his church, his country and his brother Knights of Columbus. He was proud to have been anointed a fourth degree member of the order this year. Franklin was a gentle man with a wonderful sense of humor. His good-natured teasing and jolly, belly-shaking laughter will be missed by all who knew him, especially those who gather each morning to share coffee and stories with him and his brother, Richard, at “the shop.” These few paragraphs are but a feeble attempt to summarize the life of a man who was loved and appreciated by so many. Friends are invited to visit with the family 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket, where a prayer service will be held 7:30 p.m. conducted by the officers and members of St. Martin’s Council No. 680, Knights of Columbus. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 112 Maine Ave., Millinocket, with the Rev. Joel Cyr, pastor, presider. Military honors will be held after at the church. Gifts in memory of Franklin may be sent to Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.