LINCOLNVILLE – Frank Slegona, 92, died March 3, 2011, while visiting in Arizona. His daughters and other family members were by his side at hospice in Sun City West, Ariz. He was born May 25, 1918, in Brookdale, N.Y., the ninth child of Catherine and Albert Slegona.
He was educated in upstate New York and Union City, N.J. He married Cyrene D. Foster Nov. 25, 1939. They had three children, Frances, Albert and Cyrene. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He fought in the Hurtgen Forest, Battle of the Bulge and Remagen Bridge. Frank and Cyrene moved their family from southern New Jersey to Lincolnville in 1948. They returned to New Jersey for a number of years and then returned permanently to their farm in Lincolnville in 1983. He continued to work as a vintage auto restorer until 2005. Frank and Cyrene were active members of Maine Organic Farmers Association. Their gardening and culinary activities were recognized in several publications and two books published on the history of Lincolnville and the Camden area. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2009. Cyrene died in June 2010. Frank was known for his warm smile, firm handshake and mischievousness. He was a storyteller and writer. His war memoir has been widely read. Visitors to the Slegona farm always left with garden vegetables, fresh fruit, and home brewed beer or wine. Christmas morning breakfast with sourdough pancakes for family and friends was a long-standing tradition. He was deeply attached to the farm and the surrounding countryside. His knowledge of woodland lore was extensive and he willingly shared what he knew with others.
He is survived by his daughters, Cyrene A. Slegona and husband, Dr. Arnold Fuchs, of Gorham, and Frances Rice and husband, George, of Broomfield, Colo., and grandchildren, Andrew Rice and wife, Kathy, of Lakewood, Colo., and great-granddaughters, Lauren and Kaitlyn; and Kimberly Rice Berg and husband, Eric, of San Francisco and great-granddaughter, Emma Cyrene. His wife and son predeceased him.
Friends and neighbors are invited to a celebration of Frank’s life 1 p.m. June 4 at Lincolnville United Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Maine Organic Farmers Association, P.O. Box 170, 294 Crosby Brook Road, Unity, ME 04988 or www.mofga.org.