WARREN — Francis “Frank” Patrick Leary, Jr., 89, passed away December 11, 2018 in Camden, Maine after a long fight with Parkinson’s disease. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Frank was born in Boston, Massachusetts on July 23, 1929, the son of Francis Leary and Dorothy Reed Leary. He grew up with a love for sports and with a love for family.

Frank left school in 1946 at the age of 17, in order to serve his country in the Army. He served in post-World War II, in Allied Occupied Japan and often spoke of the time he marched in formation in front of Emperor Hirohito and General Douglas MacArthur. 

After leaving the military in 1948, Frank returned home to Massachusetts to continue his education, graduating from Durfee High School in Fall River in 1949. He then went on to Springfield College, graduating in 1954. Frank received his Masters Degree in History from the University of Maine in 1966.

Frank was married to Kay Butler on December 15, 1956 in Rockland Maine. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage together prior to her passing in January 2018.

Frank worked as a teacher, athletic director, and vice principal at Georges Valley High School in Thomaston from 1954 until 1989.

He also worked as the Head Golf Professional at Megunticook Golf Club in Rockport from 1968 until 2016, at which time he became Pro Emeritus through the end of his life. He taught generations in both history and golf. 

Frank was a longstanding board member on the Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame and was inducted in 2008. He was also inducted in 2008 into the PGA Maine Golf Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the game of golf. He was a longtime supporter of Midcoast Junior Golf, encouraging younger generations to experience the joys of the game.

During his career, Frank was also President of the Maine Association of Football Officials.

An outstanding athlete in many sports, Frank coached both basketball and baseball during his career. On the baseball mound, he was a talented pitcher, and had even been invited to try out for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950. 

In addition, he spent many a weekend on the football fields of various Maine high schools, officiating football games and ejecting coaches. 

Frank was recognized for his outstanding achievements many times, receiving numerous awards throughout the years including the NEPGA Horton Smith Award for dedication, leadership and outstanding contributions for the PGA Educational Program in 1995, 1999, 2003, 2004 and 2006.  He was also awarded the NEPGA Golf Professional of the Year in 2003 and 2004.

Pre-deceased by his wife of 61 years, Kay Butler Leary in January 2018 and their son Mathew in 1972, Frank is survived by two sons and their wives, Patrick and Denise Leary, Peter and Kim Leary all of Thomaston; one daughter Stephanie Pendleton and her husband Jeff of Warren; seven grandchildren, Amanda Pendleton, Margo Pendleton, Kaleb Pendleton, Cody Castaneda, Desiree Leary, Emylee Leary, and Kaysee Leary, as well as his great grandchildren, Izabelle, Noah, and Joseph.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Friday, December 21, 2018, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a service of remembrance will be held at 3:00 p.m.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion Post No. 1, P.O. Box 582, Rockland, ME 04841.

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