CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — Dr. Frank David Crain, 83, of Coral Springs, Florida, went home to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. 

 

Born on September 3, 1937, in Steubenville, Ohio to Frank R. and Vivian J. (Thompson) Crain, he lived a fulfilling life with significant contributions to the medical and educational fields. 

 

After earning his bachelor’s degree in biology at Washington & Jefferson College, he earned a master’s degree and a doctorate degree in medical biochemistry at West Virginia University. He produced groundbreaking research for his dissertation on the effects of beta carotene in removing free radicals from blood serum, which was used by scientists to fight cancer. 

 

A highly regarded professor by his students, Frank was a professor of the sciences at West Virginia University, Florida Atlantic University and Broward Community College. As a clinical chemist, Frank climbed the ranks until becoming laboratory director for the Broward Health hospital system, overseeing laboratories of five hospitals. 

 

In the summers, Frank enjoyed the annual tradition of visiting Maine’s Midcoast region with his wife, Beverly, a former Rockport resident, and sharing in the beauty of the Midcoast with his loved ones. Many of the annual trips were first made by car or train with Beverly, and later included his grandsons George and Leslie. While many Maine visitors would say their favorite dinner was lobster, Frank preferred a meal of meatloaf and whoopie pies from Moody’s Diner. His sweet tooth never failed him, from pies to cakes to cookies to donuts, even in the days leading to his final hospitalization when he devoured piece after piece of Halloween candy. 

 

He is warmly remembered by his grandsons as being abundantly supportive of his loved ones’ endeavors and ambitions, and how he was always willing to lend support in any way possible and go the extra mile in his support. 

In addition to his parents, Frank was predeceased by brothers James and Michael Crain, sister-in-law Marie (Dorr) Thurston and brother-in-law Warren Dorr. He is survived by his wife, Beverly (Dorr) Crain of Coral Springs, Florida; son Kevin Crain and his wife Lucinda of Randolph, New Jersey; step-son Leslie Harvey, Jr. and his wife Shirley of Coral Springs, Florida; step-daughter Linda Harvey of Laconia, New Hampshire; grandchildren George and Leslie Harvey of Coral Springs, Florida, and Jillian and Avery Crain of Randolph, New Jersey; sister Jo Ann (Crain) Dryer of Avella, Pennsylvania; brother Donald Crain and his wife Ellen of Woodstock, Georgia; brother John Crain of Richmond, Ohio; sister-in-law Sarah Crain of Follansbee, West Virginia; brother-in-law Clayton Dorr and his wife Janice of Thomaston, Maine; brother-in-law Alonzo Dorr and his wife Judy of Rockland, Maine; sister-in-law Becky Gamage and her husband Bruce of Rockport, Maine; sister-in-law Barbara Dorr of Rockland, Maine; and numerous extended family members.

 

The family has opted to mourn privately, for now, amid the pandemic. A graveside committal service in Maine is tentatively planned for Summer 2021.