Obituary of Frederick William Faulkingham

FREDERICK WILLIAM FAULKINGHAM, 73, died May 5, 2009 after a short illness at his residence in Searsport surrounded by his family. He was born July 24, 1935 in Milbridge, son of Eva Faulkingham and the late John W. Faulkingham. Fred served in the U.S. Navy. His long years of work included Crowe Rope, Stinson Canning Company, Hamilton Marine Seine Loft and the Town of Searsport. He was a proud member of the Searsport Lions Club. Fred was a long-time Searsport resident residing on Mt. Ephraim Road with his loving wife, Joan, for over 40 years. He expressed that the happiest time of his life was growing up with his father, mother, 3 brothers and a sister on Monhegan Island where his father was a lighthouse keeper for 6 years. Fred was a life-long Red Sox fan and loved his yearly trips to Fenway Park with his family. He never missed his daily morning visits with his dog, Lady, and the Bangor Daily to the Searsport Wharf and Sears Island. There were always visitors lined up each morning to discuss the local news. Fred leaves behind his loving family: his wife of 40 years, Joan Thompson Dunbar Faulkingham; his mother, Eva Pinkham Faulkingham; his brothers, Eugene Faulkingham and wife Betty Lou, Lee Faulkingham and wife Mary, Rex and Irene Faulkingham, all of Prospect Harbor; and sister, Cynthia Grindle of Florida; his sons, Roger Faulkingham and wife Vickie and Austin Faulkingham, all of Minnesota and their mother, Avonne; his son, John W. Faulkingham and wife Faith of Belfast; his third family, daughter, Debra-Jo Middleswart and partner Nathan Curtis, sons, Derek Dunbar and wife Wendy, Darren Dunbar and wife Sherry, David Dunbar, all of Searsport. He will be greatly missed by his loving grandchildren, Nicholas and Jen Faulkingham, Melissa and Justin Werth, Matthew Faulkingham, Brook and Tony Kratz, Dustin Faulkingham, Erin Faulkingham, Ryan and Nicole Middleswart, Casey Middleswart, Michael Dunbar and Danielle, Johnny Dayton, Kyle Dunbar, Christian Miller Dunbar, Kristol Bean and Travis Philbrook and Latisha and Shawn Seekins. Also missed by his great-grandchildren, Audra, Jackson, Cadence, Maverick, Ryan, Skylar, Ariana, Greyson, Shelby as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, John W. Faulkingham; his brother-in-law, Errol "Buddy" Grindle and son-in-law, Blaine Middleswart. Fred would like to fondly remember his special group of friends at Tozier's Market and Hamilton Marine, his best friend and co-worker Shirley Cook and so many other friends he couldn't list them all. He made so many friends from Prospect Harbor to Searsport, around the State and beyond in the fishing industry where he worked happily his entire life. His generous, giving nature to everyone he touched will always be remembered. Family and friends are invited to call from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 7th at Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, May 8th at Faith Temple Church of God, Lincolnville Avenue, Belfast. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Fred's memory to the Searsport Lion's Club Scholarship Fund, Prospect Street, Searsport, ME 04974.