DIXMONT – Frank Ernest Cookson died Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, surrounded by family and friends at his home. Frank spent four years battling progressive super nuclear palsy. Frank was born Dec. 18, 1928, in Swanville, to Bessie Doliber and Henry Cookson, but he spent most of his youth in Stillwater. He met and married his hometown sweetheart, Reta Ogden. Frank was a hard worker from an early age. He did a brief stint in the Army, where he broke his back and had one of the original spinal fusions. He spent the rest of his life silently enduring back pain and still working many a younger man into the ground. He was the garage manager for Footman’s Dairy for 23 years, then shop foreman for Motor Truck and Trailer. Working eight hours a day was not enough for Frank. He spent evenings and weekends building houses for his family – two in Stillwater and one in Dixmont, where he moved with his wife and children in 1973. Frank’s life was filled with loss, but he remained strong and compassionate. His wife, Reta, died of cancer and his two younger sons, Rob and Kevin, died unexpectedly. He also lost two brothers, Paul and Kenneth. He found love again in 1992 and married Sheila Finn. She was his wife, companion and caregiver in his last years. Frank was a true Mainer. He loved cutting his own firewood, driving his tractor, maintaining his house, gardening, baking bean hole beans and going to hunting camp with his brothers. He was a member of Dixmont United Methodist Church and the Masonic lodge. He is survived by his wife, Sheila Cookson of Dixmont; his brothers, Fred Pollard of Brooklin and John Pollard of Winterport; sisters, Janet Thibodeau of Stillwater, Donna Laskey of Old Town, Mary Young of Clinton and Betty White of Old Town; son, David Cookson of Dover-Foxcroft; daughter, Diana Cookson of Dixmont; stepsons, Sean and Kevin Finn of Augusta; and grandchildren, Frank and Lauryl Cookson, and Ian and Dylan Connole. A celebration of Frank’s life will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at Dixmont United Methodist Church. All friends and family are welcome to come to the family home directly after the service. Donations may be made in Frank’s name to The Society for PSP, Executive Plaza lll, 11350 McCormick Road, S-906, Hunt Valley, MD 21031-9942.
FRANK ERNEST COOKSON
