Obituary of Frank Leroy Reynolds

FRANK LEROY REYNOLDS passed away on October 5, 2011 at the age of 87 following complications from a fall in early June. Born April 24, 1924 and raised in Brooks, he was the son of the late Alfred and Della Reynolds. He graduated from Morse Memorial High School in 1942 in the same class as his wife of 65 years. Frank entered the U.S. Navy in January of 1945. His service as Seaman First Class took him from Sampson, NY to San Diego to Hawaii and China where he helped repatriate Japanese prisoners. Frank learned the carpenter trade under the G.I. Bill and became a carpenter’s apprentice under A. D. Abbott of Brewer. He constructed many buildings and houses in the Brooks, Belfast and Stockton Springs area and remained a self-employed carpenter until appointed to Brooks Postmaster in 1965. Frank was a member of the First Congregational Church of Brooks, long-time member and past president of Brooks Booster Club, lifetime member and Past Commander of the American Legion Post 183, Past Master of Marsh River Lodge #102 and member of Anah Temple Shrine. He was a member of Harvest Home Grange in Brooks, a member of the Brooks Historical Society and a lifetime member of Friends of Marsh River Theater. Memorable trips to Europe, New York City, California and New Orleans and winters in Zephyrhills were fodder for his many story-telling sessions with anyone who would listen. Frank’s pride and joy was the many gardens he planted throughout his lifetime, sometimes juggling five separate gardens at a time. He enjoyed giving away to his neighbors the many vegetables he harvested. The grandchildren will especially miss his famous Bumpa’s Beans which were snipped, cut and canned every August and somehow found their way wrapped with a bow under each Christmas tree. Frank is survived by his three daughters, Paula Miron and husband Dan, Margaret Mains, and Melinda Reynolds and partner Bruce Boon, all of Brooks; brothers Jerome Reynolds of Brooks, Charles Reynolds and wife Katherine of Belfast, and Everett Reynolds and wife Anita of Lincolnville; five grandchildren, Christopher Lizzotte and wife Malisa of Ludlow, Massachusetts, Robyn Parizo and husband Mike of Easthampton, Massachusetts, David Mains and wife Jennifer of Raymond, April Bisnette and husband John of Raymond and Tanya Boudreau of Londonderry, New Hampshire. He leaves 12 grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his wife, Helen Smith Reynolds; his grandson Danny Boudreau; his son-in-law Claude “Mac” Mains; his sisters, Addie Deering of Orono and Arlene Roberts of Belfast; his brothers, Merriam of Portland, Ralph of Brooks, Myron of Winterport and Edgar of Camden. Family and friends are invited to call at Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast on Friday, October 7th from 5-7 p.m. Memorial services will be held October 15th at 2 p.m. at Brooks Congregational Church with Rev. Joan Smith officiating. Burial will be at Rose Cemetery in Brooks. In lieu of flowers, expressions of affection in the form of charitable contributions may be given to the First Congregational Church of Brooks or to Brooks Harvest Home Grange. On-line condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com.