AUBURN — Francis W. Drake Jr. 85, of 25 Cheryl Dee Avenue, Lisbon, died Friday, March 9, at the Clover Manor in Auburn, with his family by his side.
Born in Lewiston on March 3, 1933, he was the son of Francis W. Drake Sr. and Lenore Streeter Drake. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1951 and married the love of his life, Doris C. Cloutier, on May 13, 1952. Veteran of the Korean War, Frank served with the U.S. Navy Seabees in Alaska and Japan. Thereafter, he pursued his education at the University of Maine Orono, enjoying membership in AGR fraternity and graduating in 1960 with a degree in poultry husbandry.
For many years he was employed by the state of Maine as a chemist and eventually retired as the chief of Community Health Services. He was a member of Maine Water Utilities Association, participated in research for Jackson Laboratories for cancer research and also served as a member on the board of directors for Maine Community Colleges. He was an avid sports fan, especially football, and enjoyed both playing and watching. He was a member of the Maine Football Referee Association and enjoyed many sports and was on a men’s basketball league for several years. Frank loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. He especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends, who remember Frank for his ready smile and his sense of humor.
A member of Holy Trinity Church, he is survived by his wife of Lewiston; four daughters, Donna Heathcote and husband, Dan, of Hudson, Marian Schwabauer and husband, Kurt, of Evergreen, Colo., Lisa Drake of Rumford, and Noreen Morin and husband, Paul, of Lisbon; a sister, Judith Norweg, of Minot; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Condolences and a video tribute may be found online at www.albert-burpee.com.
Francis W. Drake Jr.
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