ROCKLAND — Frank J. Germano, a remarkable man who lived to be 96, passed away, Wednesday, October 29, 2025 in Rockland. Born on July 21, 1929, in Broadacre, Ohio, he was the son of Giuseppe and Maddalena (Scaffidi) Germano. His parents, who had married in 1924, embarked on a journey across the ocean from Messina, Sicily, on the Giuseppe Verde to Ellis Island. After settling in Ohio, they raised a family together.

Frankie, who attended a one-room schoolhouse, assisted his family of nine working in the garden with his Uncle Bill. Starting at a young age, he earned money by doing yard work for neighbors, delivering papers, and even working a long and arduous summer job for the railroad. His curiosity for how things worked was evident from a young age. He would take his mother’s alarm clock apart and pull the head off his sisters’ only doll to discover how the eyes opened and closed. This mechanical aptitude would eventually lead him to a successful career, starting with Fellows Motor Co. in Steubenville.

One night, with nothing better to do, Frankie and his friends decided to join the Marines. He underwent training at Camp Lejeune First Division Motor Vehicle Operators School and served during the Korean War in the 1st Marines, B Company, 1st Motor Transport, in various campaigns, including the Chosin Reservoir. During this time, he began writing to a beautiful young girl named Grace Maurer in Baltimore. Grace prayed a novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary to protect her young Marine, and this prayer did protect him for an astonishing 96 years.

When he was discharged from the Marines, they met, married, and raised their three daughters in a small Baltimore neighborhood. He worked for Charlie Irish Chevrolet for 35 years, a job he loved. Frank was always the most popular man in the neighborhood, and people would often ask for his help with their cars. He was always happy to assist, never driving past a disabled car on the side of the road or a hitchhiking soldier. Helping a family member catch up on the rent or a utility bill or a car repair. He put all the boys in the family to work in the little family garage, teaching them at the same time.

Later in life, he met Flo at a Paul Jones dance at the VFW In Baltimore. They danced 3 or 4 dances together before he sent her a drink at the bar. After that encounter they went out for coffee and a donut. The pair was inseparable until Frank moved to Maine with his daughter. They lived a long happy life together in Mt Olive, North Carolina.

Frank was predeceased by his parents, Joe and Maddalena; his uncle, Basilio Scaffidi; brother Mike Germano; sisters Carmella Zinno, Josephine Giannamore and Rose Alkire; a daughter, Lillian Hoffman; and his God son, Nicholas Maurer.

He is survived by his wife Flo; sister Mary Moore of Steubenville; daughters Mary Frances Maker of Rockland, Grace and McKim and her husband Rick of Safety Harbor, Florida; grandchildren, Gary (Shannon) Guiou, Shane (Kristin) Hoffman, Jimmy Hoffman (Sommer), Francesca (Eric) Leatherman, Carl (Brandi) McKim, Melanie Scott (Doug Bellevue), Melissa (Matt) Carter, Jessica McMaster (Jason Buckley); great-grandchildren, Sabrina, Sienna, Sophina Guiou, Karlie and Natalie Scott, Makayla Sutherburg, Harlow Leatherman, Nathan Guilford, Elijah Buckley, Aaron McKim and Saelee Hoffman; a great-great-granddaughter, Penelope Jade Gagnon; and a great-great-grandson, Maxwell Marc Gagnon; his Baltimore nieces and nephews, Jerry and Gail Bittner, Ruth Ann Bold, Wayne Bittner, Frankie and Tina Bittner (his God son, who was named after him), Debbie Maurer McQuaid John, Raymond and Brenda Maurer, Bobby and Tammy Maurer McQuaid and Vince; his Steubenville nieces and nephews, Doug and Marie Zinno, Rene Zinno Miller, her son and family, Karen Alkire, Lisa Alkire Peterson, Sherry Alkire and Louie Alkire; his wife, Flo’s family, Eddie and Emily Denning, Jimmy, Ann, Dylan and Shelby Baker, CM Britt, Paula Britt Thornton and James Britt; and his Loyal Golf Cart Companion-the Lovely Cat, who moved to Maine with him!

Frank was truly rich in the love of his family. We hope God will have plenty of work to do because Frankie will want to fix Heaven for Him.

A special thanks to his doctors and nurses at Togus VA who always treated him with compassion and respect. Thank you to all of the Home Health Care Providers and Beacon Hospice who helped make his years long and happy.

Family and friends are invited to visit Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 10 to 11 a.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a Funeral Service will be held immediately following at 11 a.m.

Frank will be laid to rest at Wiley’s Corner Cemetery, St. George, Maine where a Military burial will be held.

To share a memory or condolence with Frank’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.