CORINTH – Franklin W. Bean Sr., 92, went to be with the Lord, Dec. 30, 2008. He was born Dec. 30, 1916, in Fort Fairfield, son of Dudley and Hattie Belle (Achorn) Bean. He was the eldest of 11 children. Franklin attended schools in Fort Fairfield, Presque Isle and East Corinth. His family moved to Corinth in 1930. He engaged in farming and started driving truck when he was 17. He drove truck for J.L. Paine, Border Express, Maine Border Freightways and retired from Quinn Freight Lines. During his career as a truck driver, he and his first wife owned and operated Beanie’s Drive-In, the local dairy bar. He also raised crops and had a roadside vegetable and fruit stand. He was very musical and played the drums, piano and saxophone. He was known for his strength, his firm handshake, hugs and his love for family, friends and community. People meant a lot to him. He could tell the best stories. He really enjoyed life. He attended Corinth Baptist Church. He was a past member of the Grange and Odd Fellows. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Geraldine McGray Towle Bean; sons, Franklin Jr. of New Hampshire, Derwood and wife, Julia, Gregory and girlfriend, Lynn, all of Glenburn, Alden and wife, Cindy, of Bradford; daughters, Charlene Chesley and husband, George, Lorayne Strout and husband, Donald, all of Corinth, Christine Bean of North Carolina; one stepdaughter, Sharon Lovell of Corinth, 27 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; four brothers, Willis of Corinth, Lester and wife, Roberta, of Kenduskeag, Winston and wife, Priscilla, of Virginia, Herbert and wife, Audrey, of Bangor; three sisters, Ella Duran of Portland, Glennis Downing of Palmyra, Avis Kee of Brewer. He was predeceased by his first wife, Clarissa (French), in 1977; daughter, Carmen Cronkhite, in 2001; sister, Anna Keough; and brother, Ralph. Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009, at Charleston Pentecostal Church, 179 Main St., Charleston, where funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, with Pastor David Bean, Pastor Matt Ward and Rev. Ron Libby officiating. A reception will be held after the service at the church. Spring interment will be at Corinthian Cemetery, Corinth. In lieu of flowers, people may donate to Souls Harbor, P.O. Box 275, Corinth, ME 04427; Corinth Fire Department, P.O. Box 309, Corinth, ME 04427 or to a charity of one’s choice.
FRANKLIN WILMET BEAN SR.
