"Police officers put the badge on every morning, not knowing for sure if they'll come home at night to take it off."
~Tom Cotton

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Frank W. Putnam, III, 1935-2013

Frank Wendell Putnam III, 77 of State Road, Kittery, Maine, and a former Plainville, MA resident, died February 1, 2013 in Portsmouth Hospital, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He was the beloved husband of Jane Sheldon Chevers Putnam.

Born in Acton, MA, on November 3, 1935, he was a son of the late Frank W. Putnam II, and the late Norma (Palmer) Putnam. He was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree. He also received an Associate Degree in Fire Service Magna Cum Laude from Wachusett Community College. He had been a member of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity while at UMass.

At one time an active member of the Masonic Fraternity, he had become a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. His lodge affiliation was with Star Lodge, Brunswick, ME.

Active in high leadership within the Boy Scouts of America, he had earned his Eagle Scout Award with Troop 1, Acton, MA. He was a Silver Beaver Award recipient, and had served as a Commissioner at Pine Tree Council in Brunswick, ME.

Frank was a tank commander in the U.S. Army's Yankee Division, and later served in the Army National Guard. He retired as a Captain.

Beginning his firefighting career in Acton, Frank served as a volunteer firefighter with his father and uncle Everett. Later, Frank was employed as a Civil Service Firefighter with the US Government at the Brunswick Naval Air Station, retiring from the Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod. He went on to serve as the Fire Chief for the community of Lincoln, RI. He was a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

He is survived by his dear children, Brent Victor Wendell Putnam and his wife Rebecca Putnam of Falmouth, MA, Rory Stevens Woodbury Putnam and his wife Olida Putnam of Windham, ME, and Heather Sheldon Goliber and her husband Christopher of Ponte Vedra, FL. He was the loving grandfather of Brigitta, Katarina, Andrew, Kaytlen and Victoria.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the RJ Ross Funeral Home, 135 South Street, Route 1A, Wrentham Centre, on Thursday from 4-8 PM. His Funeral Service will be Friday at 10 AM in St. Barnabas Church, 91 West Main Street, Falmouth, MA. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Pine Tree Council, Boy Scouts of America (131 Johnson Rd, Portland, ME 04102, or http://aplacetogive.scouting.org/magento/index.php/give-local-pine-tree.html ) or the USO ( https://www.uso.org/donate/ ).

Arrangements are in the care of the RJ Ross Funeral Home, Wrentham Centre.

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