DAYTON – Frederick John Ahearn III “Rick”, 81, of Dayton, passed away peacefully at his home on May 29, 2021. He was born to Frederick and Marguerite (Bernard) Ahearn on Feb. 6, 1940 and was the oldest of their five children.

Rick attended schools in Old Orchard Beach, graduating in 1958. He pursued a degree in education and taught math and science in the local school system for a couple years. He was an entrepreneur and he quickly learned his passion was being outdoors.

Rick and his wife, Marion, spent over 59 years together raising two daughters and running several successful businesses. Marion passed on Nov. 28, 2020 with Rick and family by her side.

Rick was never one to sit still and was a hardworking man throughout his life. He had many, many projects going on any given day and that was the case until the day he passed.

One of his first ventures, at the age of 10, was with his brother, David, collecting bottles on the beach. Even at a young age Rick understood the value of a dollar! In addition to serving as an educator, he sold Electrolux vacuums and operated a fur business. He had a beach stand on Seacliff Avenue and a restaurant at the Copley Hotel where he made his delicious clam cakes. He had a truck and sold Table Talk Pies. As a young couple, Rick and Marion also toured the county fair circuit, running “Rick and Marions Famous Fried Clams”.

In 1967, Rick and his brother David purchased Wild Acres Campground. Their camping business grew with the purchase of five very successful campgrounds.

If David and Ricky each had $5 David would take everyone out for hamburgers and Ricky would say, “I’ll buy a pound of hamburg, cook for everyone and still have $4 left over!” Rick wants everyone to know how special his brother is to him and they shared an unbreakable bond.

When he wasn’t working, Rick spent much of his time in the outdoors. He was an avid sportsman, mastering hunting, fishing and trapping while also caring for a pack of trail hounds throughout his life. Rick deservingly earned the respect of his fellow sportsman. He was the first coyote houndsman in Maine and his hunting expertise revolutionized modern day coyote hunting. Rick was credited by Gene Letourneau’s article, “OOB Coyote Kill Historic” as the first coyote shot ahead of hounds.

Many have followed in his footsteps since but few can hold a candle to his knowledge and passion for the sport.

Rick’s love for the outdoors fueled his passion for land conservation. Over the years, Rick and Marion accumulated 2000-plus acres of land, which remain open to the public. He prided himself on not owning any “No Trespassing” signs and expressed his desire for this land to remain wild, long after his passing.

His hobbies and interests were never ending.

He took his wine making very seriously but it certainly humbled him. Thankfully, he had many friends that were willing to drink it.

Driving along the roads, the road was the least of his worries as he was always scouting for deer. You took your life in your hands when traveling with Ricky!

He wanted to get his pilot’s license and a pilot friend in aviation said, “You are not equipped to do this, please don’t do this!”

He has had a remarkable life and is a true renaissance man. There was never a subject he was not interested in and he was a voracious reader.

The, “Did you hear what Rick did today?” And the endless stories will live on forever.

He fought hard to live, as he had so much more to do and learn.

Ricks greatest joy in life was interacting with his family, friends, acquaintances, those of common interest and all the wonderful people he got to know. His laugh, sharp sense of humor and wit will be missed by many!

Rick was a member of the Camp Ellis Rod and Gun Club and longtime parishioner at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Old Orchard Beach. Most recently he and Marion attended services at St. Philips Church in Lyman.

Rick is predeceased by his parents Frederick and Marguerite; and his beloved wife, Marion (Sullivan).

He is survived by his daughters Tammy Ahearn of Saco and Jodie Ahearn of Dayton; many loved nieces and nephews. Rick cherished his three grandchildren, Mitchell Blow of Old Orchard Beach, Amanda Blow of Saco and Morgan Ahearn of Poland. His great-grandchildren Jaxon and Nora brought the biggest smile on his face. Rick is also survived by his beloved siblings David and his wife Glenna, Jane Bishop and her husband Ray, Maureen Ahearn Griffin and Kathleen Ahearn.

The family would like to extend our gratitude to Dave Dunn for his many years of friendship and continuous support of Rick through these trying times.

All services will be for both Rick and Marion together with visiting hours from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 18 at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James St., Saco. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11a.m. Saturday, June 19 at St. Margaret’s Church in Old Orchard Beach. Burial will follow in the Ahearn Family Plot. To view Rick’s memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit http://www.cotefuneralhome.com.

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