ROCKLAND – Franklin Walker Spinney, 91, died Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at Knox Center for Long Term Care after an extended illness. Born March 16, 1921, on Little Deer Isle, he was the son of William L. and Minnie Davis Spinney.
Frank grew up in Rockland, attending local schools. He was a 1940 graduate of Rockland High School. Shortly after graduation Franklin joined the U.S. Army and later the Merchant Marines. In 1946, Franklin married his high school sweetheart, Gloria. Together they made their home in Rockland, where they raised their family of two girls. In 1965, Franklin went to work as a service repairman for Central Maine Power. He later became a pump operator at Mason Station, Wiscasset, retiring in 1983. Franklin attended First Baptist Church of Rockland, where for many years he enjoyed cooking for Men’s Breakfast. He was a member of Aurora Lodge of Masons and Golden Kiwanis, both in Rockland. He also took great pleasure in community volunteer work, delivering Meals-on-Wheels, helping with Special Olympics, and participating in the Salvation Army Red Kettle Brigade during the holiday season. After retiring, Franklin enjoyed woodworking in his shop and was known to make beautiful furniture, crafts and bird carvings for family and friends.
Franklin was predeceased by his sister, Leona Randall. He is survived by his wife of 66 years; daughters, Sharon Heine of Rockland, and Susan Low and her husband, Stanley, of Lincolnville; grandson, Andrew Franklin Arthur and his wife, Brooke, of Hollis, N.H.; stepgrandson, Jakob C. Low of Lincolnville; and three great-grandchildren, Kail, Maia and James Franklin Arthur, all of Hollis, N.H.
Family and friends are invited to visit 4-6 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland. A celebration of his life will be held 11 a.m. Friday, May 4, at First Baptist Church, 215 Limerock St., Rockland, with the Rev. Robert Manning officiating. Interment with military honors will be afterward at Sea View Cemetery, Rockland. To share a memory or condolence with Franklin’s family, please visit his online book of memories at
www.bchfh.com.