In Memory of

Francis

D.

Hedrich

Obituary for Francis D. Hedrich

ROCKLAND - Francis D. Hedrich, 87, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, following a period of declining health, Sunday, December 29, 2013 at Knox Center for Long Term Care. Francis went home to join his beloved wife of 68 years, just nine months after she left this earth.

Francis was raised in Long Eddy, NY and left there at an early age to join the U.S. Navy in 1943. A petty officer in aviation ordinance, he was attached to a 100 plane squadron of F4U Corsairs at the airport in Owls Head. His job was to service 50-caliber machine guns and cannons. During his time in Rockland, Francis met the love of his life, Alice Hall, at a serviceman's dance at the Community Building. They were married on June 17, 1945 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church before his departure on the aircraft carrier ‘USS Philippine Sea’. They returned to Rockland to settle down in 1947.

Following his honorable discharge, Francis attended Rockland High School where he earned his diploma. After graduation he began his career in banking, beginning as an assistant cashier with the First National Bank of Rockland in 1950. Working his way up, Francis eventually became vice president and manager of the Maine National Bank in Rockland. During his career, he attended the Northern New England School of Banking and graduated from the School of Banking at Williams College in Massachusetts. During the early years of his career, Francis worked as a bookkeeper for several local small businesses. Francis retired in March of 1986, after giving 35 years of service to the banking community.

While active in the Rockland community, he served as a director and treasurer of the Rockland Area Chamber of Commerce for over 12 years, was a member of the Planning Commission, director of the Camden Outing Club, chairman of the Penobscot Bay Medical Center Fund Drive, and was elected trustee of the Northeast Health Board. Francis has also been a long-time active communicant of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

As well as being an active community member and business man, Francis was a dedicated family man. Along with his wife, he raised eight children, enjoying many family outings to the Camden Snow Bowl and Saddleback Mountain. Over the years, Francis has enjoyed watching his family grow with the addition of spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He took particular pride in holiday gatherings when they could all be together.

After retirement Francis and Alice enjoyed 22 winters in New Port Richey, Florida. Together they spent countless hours on the golf course, and enjoyed the many opportunities to spend time with their ‘Maine friends’ in Florida.

Predeceased by his wife, Alice in March of this year; and two brothers, Winfred Hedrich and Richard Hedrick; Francis is survived by two brothers, Ernest Hedrick and his wife Marlene, Kenneth Hedrick and his wife Barbara; his children and their spouses, Mark Hedrich and Linda Rose of Union, Loretta and Dana Little of Rockland, David and Charleen Hedrich of Warren, Michael and Paula Hedrich of Nashua, New Hampshire, Christine and Ervin Curtis of South Thomaston, Josephine and Elliot Mednick of Salem, New Hampshire, Peter and Michelle Hedrich of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Homer ‘Jack’ and Susan Hedrich of New Gloucester; 14 grandchildren and their spouses, Jonathan Little, Dr. Julie and Ryan Hurley, Andrew and J’Anna Hedrich, Matthew Hedrich, Evan Hedrich, William Hedrich, Paul, Daniel and Caroline Curtis, Alexander Mednick, Leah Mednick, Jessica and Patrick Brown, Megan Hedrich, Chloe Hedrich; four great-grandchildren, Walker and Cole Hedrich, twins, Eva and Oren Hurley; two step-grandchildren, Alexander Kaufmann and his wife Katherine, Ariane Bowie; and one step-great-granddaughter Ellie Kaufmann.

Family and friends are invited to visit from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Friday, January 3, 2014 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 4, 2014, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 150 Broadway, Rockland. The Reverend Richard Malo will officiate. A reception will follow immediately at 104 Limerock, the funeral home’s reception center. Interment will be held in the spring.

Flowers are gratefully accepted, however those who wish may make memorial donations to American Heart Association, 51 U.S. Route One, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074.

Affiliations


US Navy