Frank W. Lee, 79, died April 27 at Windward Gardens in Camden.
He was born Oct. 17, 1933 in Waldoboro to Clarence and Alma Palmer Lee. He graduated from Waldoboro High School and Gorham State Teachers College and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He then began his career working as an Industrial Arts teacher in South Portland.
In 1965 he moved his family to Nigeria, during the Biafran Conflict, where he worked as an Industrial Arts teacher at the Aiyetoro Comprehensive High School until he and his family were evacuated. Frank and his family left Nigeria due to the conflict and returned in 1969 to teach for two more years. During his time in Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzaniam Kenya and European countries, in the 60s, he was an avid photographer.
Back in the states, in 1970, Frank transitioned from teaching to
administration, becoming the Co-op Coordinator for vocational students at Spaulding High School in Barre, Vt.
In 1974 he moved to Ellsworth to establish, and eventually become director of, the Hancock County Vocational School. He spearheaded the building of another vocational school in Brunswick, starting in 1979, when working as the Director of Region 10 Vocational School. He then retired briefly before returning to a position as interim director at the Rockland Region 8 Vocational School. Later still he worked as the
site coordinator for the Warren Elementary School, and retired for
good in 1999.
He was a member of the Waldoboro Lions Club, the Waldoboro United Methodist Church and volunteered at the Waldoboro Food Pantry. Frank valued laughing and held strong friendships some of which lasted all his life.
He was devoted to his family, enjoyed gardening, and carried on a long tradition of lobster bakes by the water of the family home in Back Cove.
He was predeceased by brothers, Luther, Howard, Clarence, and Robert.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sylvia Lee; sons Craig, Kevin, and Eric, all of Waldoboro; sister, Frances Clark of So. Carolina; grandchildren, Adam and Stephanie Lee of Waldoboro, and Daisy Lee of California; great-granddaughter, Sienna Lee of Warren; sister-in-law, Joyce Morrill and husband Ed of New York City; many nieces, nephews and cousins; close nephew, Randy Lee of Waldoboro; and special friends, Kay and Jim Paterson of Vermont who wintered with Frank and Sylvia in Florida for the last 10 years of his life.
Service to celebrate Frank’s life 4 p.m., Fri., May 3 at the Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. Revs. Jen Curran and Ralph Miller will officiate.
Contributions in Frank’s memory may be made to the Waldoboro Public Library, P.O. Box 768, Waldoboro, ME 04572.
You can share your condolences with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
