SEARSPORT and NORTHPORT Senior Chief John F. Fraser, 58, died Sept. 25, 2005, at a Belfast hospital. He was born April 2, 1947, in Belfast, the son of the late Kenneth W. and Annie (Hawley) Fraser. He was raised in Searsport and a graduate of Searsport District High School, Class of 1965. He served in the National Guard for three years and then for more than 20 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring from Brunswick Naval Air Station in 1988. He served as flight deck coordinator on the U.S.S. Eisenhower, a nuclear aircraft carrier. Most recently he worked for the U.S. Postal Service at the Hampden Distribution Center until his retirement in 2003. He and his wife, Gwendolyn, then moved to Northport. A very devoted father and grandfather known as “Papa Ike”, he loved camping and driving his grandchildren around the campground in a golf cart. He enjoyed woodworking with his special friend, Jack Fraser of Searsport and working at the U.S. Post Office Distribution Center with his many friends, including Deborah Rideout of Crouseville. He was a member of the Mariners Masonic Lodge No. 68 AF & AM, Searsport, and the Anah Temple Shrine. In addition to his wife, Gwendolyn (Carver) Fraser, of Northport; he is survived by three sons, John Fraser II of Paisley, Fla., Kenneth L. Fraser and his wife, Misty, of Gautier, Miss. and Lincoln T. Fraser and his wife, Joanna, of Shawmut; three grandchildren, Victoria Fraser, Alexander Fraser and Skylar Fraser; three stepchildren, Jason Loring and his wife, Monica, of Searsmont, Elizabeth Beal and her husband, Nate, of Union and Laurie Dodge and her husband, Ray, of Warren; their children, Stephanie and Travis Dodge, Jake Richardson and Hunter and Brianna Loring; sister, Carol Hall and her husband, Daniel, of Searsport; brother, Thomas Fraser and his wife, Betty, of Stockton Springs; several nieces and nephews; many friends. He was predeceased by his father, Kenneth W. Fraser in 1974; mother, Annie H. Fraser in 1993; brother, Kenneth Fraser Jr. in 1970; sister, Brenda Fraser Littlefield in 2002. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at the First Congregational Church of Searsport, with the Rev. Arlin Larson officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Searsport. Donations in his memory may be made to the Waldo County General Hospital Oncology Department or to the Waldo County Home Health and Hospice, 119 Northport Ave., Belfast, ME 04915. Arrangements by Young Funeral Home, 31 West Main St., Searsport. <
JOHN F. FRASER SR.
