Franklin J. Dodge, age 62, passed away at his home in Union on October 7, 2024. 

Born on October 24,1961 in Camden, Maine, Frank was brought home to Rockport. He was raised with five brothers and two sisters. He wasn't the youngest, but he was Momma's baby and at the same time, a Daddy's boy.

He attended the local schools in Camden-Rockport, and some may say he was a little on the wild side. He had a huge heart and was raised to be honest, hardworking, loyal and kind.

Since childhood, Frank was a Fisherman. He learned the meaning of hard work at a young age and that lobstering was more than just a job, it’s a way of life and he lived it.

Frank was an avid hunter and trapper for most of his life. I enjoy hearing stories from his younger sister, Cindy, about how he was a “crack shot” and “never caught buck fever” like some of the brothers.

He became a father young after he fell in love with the girl next door, or to be accurate, the girl across the street.

Frank loved his boys and once they were old enough to tag along for work or play, he didn’t go anywhere alone after that. His oldest son, Jeff, would get up extra early when he was a kid, get ready, boots on and wait in his truck so he could go hunting with his Dad instead of going to school.

Through the years Frank lived in Thomaston and Union but no matter what town he lived in, his home away from home was the Rockport Harbor.

He taught all three of his boys how to fish and to provide for their families. That is just one of the many talents he passed on to them.

Frank was loved by so many and had more friends than I could list. He was funny, kind, competitive, enjoyed every kind of fishing, good food, a good time, coffee and scratch tickets, a cold beer and most of all, his family.

He was a Father, Son, Brother, Uncle, Grandfather, and more.

I was lucky to have him as my father-in-law. My dad and Frank were friends before I was thought of. My dad tells great stories of their “adventures” from when they were young. Again, a little on the wild side but that was before my time.

When I was 14 years old, I told Frank I was going to marry his son. He laughed at me and scratched the sides of his head in nervousness. I think he knew I was serious.

Being the girl in a group of mostly boys, Frank was always good to me.  We were close and he knew I would do anything for him, his boys, and his grandkids. He always took me up on that and I will mention, he wasn't a patient man.

I will miss his calls and unannounced visits at my work when he needed my help with something and it had to be right then. I will miss so many things, I will miss him.

As kids, our parents are our heros. When we get older we realize they may not be perfect but they're an anchor in our life. Through the good, bad and ugly, happy, sad or mad, The Old Man/Pa was never far.

Now that he's gone, we will carry him with us in our hearts and his legacy will live on through his kids and grandkids.

Frank was predeceased by his parents, Leroy and Louise Dodge; his brother, Warren Milliken; and his son, Jonathan Dodge.

Surviving are his sons Jeff Dodge and his wife, Jessie, and Mark Dodge; the mother of his children, Brenda Fowlie; his sisters, Kandy Amborn and her husband, John, and Cindy Dodge; his brothers Raymond Dodge and his wife Laurie, Kenny Dodge, Bruce Dodge and his wife Lisa, and Leroy Dodge and his wife Pat; his grandchildren, Skyler, Kaleb, Keagan, Alyssa, Frankie and Joey Dodge, and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

Memories and condolences may be shared at ripostafh.com.