TOPSHAM – Frank Stanley Bennett III, 69, took the final steps of his Journey with ALS, Sunday March 10, 2019. He is survived by his gorgeous wife, Connie, and what he considered his greatest masterpieces, his two daughters Stephanie and Bethany, his two sons-in-law Stacy and Travis, brothers Dennis and Stephen, his nephews Jason and Chris, his Dominican family, Kawana, Juan Carlos and their children Sergio, Gema, and Amber. Frank (Stan, as many knew him) graduated from Brunswick High, Class of ’69 and took great pride in his country and service as an Army Sargent E5 in the 237th ADM Engineer Battalion, which he considered to be the three greatest years of his life.  He was a true patriot and loved his country with unbridled passion and honor.  The eagle represents everything he embraced about his country and he amassed an impressive collection of eagles in varying shapes and sizes including a cupola that was recently gifted to him from the family with a stunning copper eagle overlooking his property.  Family was the most important thing to Frank and he always created opportunities for family and friends to spend time together through monthly potluck dinners, home improvement projects, fishing trips and four-wheeling excursions.  He believed that friends are also family and always opened his home to everyone.  He always said, “Love your Family, cherish your Friends, take plenty of pictures and always laugh”.  Frank also cherished the four-legged loves in his life, most importantly Shelby “The Queen” who became his companion through his Journey with ALS and Shelby’s pup Addie May “The Princess”.  His heart was filled with cherished memories of his four-legged fishing companions Griffin, Axl and Tucker and of course the brothers Hank and Tug, who were a precious gift he gave to his daughters as a comforting reminder of Frank when he was gone. 

Frank’s friends and family will know him as a genuine charmer and flirtatious soul who strove for perfection and took tremendous pride in his quality of work. He always said, “If you’re going to do something, do it right the first time” and “Measure twice and cut once”, which could be seen and felt the moment you walked onto his property in many of his artistic pursuits as a craftsman, landscaper, and carpenter.  He would do anything for his friends and family and if you weren’t in his inner circle, and he liked you, he would bring you in unconditionally and you became part of the family.   Frank always had a willing crew when he had a “project” because of his infectious personality, his deep love and his never-ending list of things to do at the house.  You could often see Jason and Chris, Stacy and Travis, his other sons (you know who you are), and countless others working side by side with Frank while Connie feverishly tried to keep everyone from going hungry.  When not working on the house or doing projects for friends he could be seen with the same crew ice fishing at Sheepscot Pond or four-wheeling.  He also maintained a tight band of high school brothers, Squeak, David, and Bob whose families also had a profound impact on his life. 

Frank’s love for his three girls could not be measured by typical means.  His wife Connie was his world, his rock, his one true love that remained imbedded in his heart forever from the moment they met on Thanksgiving Day in 1970. His love for his daughters was equally as deep and complete.  His whole body smiled with pride when he talked about his daughters and they could always bring out the softer side of Frank.  He loved them all so completely and unconditionally.  

We ask that you embrace life as Frank did.  Laugh hard, Love hard, cherish your friends and be kind to each other.  Please join us at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery (207-287-3481), 163 Mt. Vernon Rd, Augusta, ME 04330, Friday March 22nd at 1PM, Celebration of Life to follow at 3PM at the Brunswick Hotel and Tavern (207-837-6565), 4 Noble St., Brunswick, ME 04011 with a Tribute Presentation at 4:30PM.  At Frank’s request, please do not send flowers to the venue, dress casually and comfortably, bring your stories, and smiles.  He wanted this to be a true celebration of his life with those he loved and for those that loved him.   

At the family’s request we ask that in lieu of flowers that donations can be made to the Mid Coast ALS chapter in Frank’s name. Mid Coast Hospital ALS Clinic, Mid Coast – Parkview Health PO Box 279, Brunswick, ME 04011.
Condolences may me expressed to the family at www.FuneralAlternatives.net
Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives, Brunswick.  

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