SOUTH PORTLAND — William Henry Franklin IV, 80, died at his home April 27, with his loving family at his side.
He was born in Merrimac, Massachusetts, July 20, 1933, a son of William Henry III and Alice Mae Franklin. He graduated from Merrimac High School, class of 1951.
His love of the sea led him to enlist in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1952. From homeports of New Bedford, Massachusetts, Cape May, New Jersey, and Portland, he served as a boiler technician aboard seven Coast Guard Cutters. He retired in 1972 as a senior chief petty officer.
He married the love of his life, Marguerite H. Ide on July 21, 1955, in Weston, Massachusetts.
Following retirement from the Coast Guard, he became a master oil burner technician working for the Ballard Oil Co. and Union Oil Co. He was known to get up in the middle of the night, even during blizzards, to repair furnaces for people in need.
He adored his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and he cherished family gatherings. He greatly enjoyed tending his lawn on his John Deere tractor, camping and staying in touch with friends and family on the Internet. He also received great joy from his family pets and socializing with other coasties, as well as his black coffee.
He was predeceased by a brother, John Franklin; and two sisters, Charlotte Page and Helen Travis.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years; two daughters, Cynthia S. Fortier and husband, Paul, of Vassalboro and Allyson M. Secord and husband, Tom, of South Portland; three sons, Wayne H. Franklin and wife, Mary, of Gorham, Wesley H. Franklin and wife, Lynne Palmer, of Scarborough, and William H. Franklin V and wife, Florinda, of Buxton; two sisters, Dorothy Quinney and Ruth Youngblood; 14 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be held 5-8 p.m. Friday at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m., Saturday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 678 Washington Ave., Portland. Burial with military honors will follow at Brooklawn Memorial Park, Portland.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the anti-smoking program of the American Lung Association of Maine, 122 State St., Augusta, ME 04330.
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