PITTSFIELD – Francis Edward Pratt, 78, died peacefully Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. He was born April 21, 1931, in Northampton, Mass., the son of Nelson and Viola (Allord) Pratt. He graduated from Northampton High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He received his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy, Mass. He received his graduate degree in education from Harvard University as well as a master’s degree in Latin American history from the University of the Americas, Mexico City. He married Janice A. Gidney, Sept. 3, 1956, and together they raised five children. He was an educator at Acton-Boxboro Regional High School in Massachusetts for 26 years. After retirement, he and Janice moved to Maine, first to Dixmont and then for the last eight years in Pittsfield. Fran belonged to National Education Association. He was the founder of Center for Teaching and Learning about Aging and coined the phrase “intergenerational.” He authored the book “The United States and Foreign Policy” along with other textbooks and articles. He helped patients at Bangor Mental Health Institute publish their own stories. He volunteered at Peace and Justice Center, Bangor, and other social justice organizations. Francis loved to restore old homes and build new houses. He loved travel and adventure. He listened to classical music, enjoyed reading, cooking and doing crossword puzzles. He loved to take his grandchildren to museums, parks and swimming pools. He helped them set up small jobs and establish bank accounts. He always welcomed new opportunities. He was a thinker, a doer and an innovator. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Janice Pratt of Pittsfield; five children, Virginia D. Pratt of Boston, David A. Pratt and his wife, Jeanne, of Gardner, Mass., Adam B. Pratt and his wife, Patricia Wilson, of Ithaca, N.Y., Diane A. Pratt of Pittsfield, and Jennifer R. Pratt and her partner, Wesley Burton, of Hartland; and eight grandchildren, Aaron F. Pratt, Cynthia T. Pratt, Emily V. Pratt, Shauna J. Pratt, Carolyn M. MacLean, Amanda R. MacLean, Wesley A. Burton and Christene M. Burton. He was predeceased by four siblings, Nelson Pratt, Gladys Pratt, Raymond Pratt and Joan Cranson. A celebration of life will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at First Universalist Church, Easy Street, Pittsfield, with the Rev. Margaret Beckman. Should friends desire, contributions in Fran’s memory may be made to Peace and Justice Center, 170 Park St., Bangor, ME, 04401. Care for the Pratt family has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, Pittsfield. To leave a message of kindness for the family, please visit www.shoreynichols.com.
FRANCIS EDWARD PRATT
