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Condolences & Tributes

We encourage you to share any memorable photos or stories about Frank. All tributes placed on and purchased through this memorial website will remain on in perpetuity for future generations.

Long ago when we first bought a tired old house I went "up ta" Rankins to get materials for a roof-raising. It was Saturday afternoon near closing time. Frank took me around and helped me make a list of what I needed despite all the other things he must've had to do. As I was freighted up & pulling out he called me aside and pointed to a spot on where he told me if I needed anything on Sunday, here's where the key is, help myself and catch up with him later next week. What hardware store would do that? I became and still am and always will be a loyal customer. He was also the first to give me credit when I was starting my company when I had not much to offer in the way of references. One of the best role models of the best of humankind I've met. Rest in Peace.
George Haselton - Monday August 20, 2018 via Condolence Message
Lisa and Lenity,

What a wonderful tribute and send-off for your dad today. He has, for a long time, been at the top of my list of the finest people I have ever known. The love and respect for him was so beautifully apparent at the service. I feel honored to have known your dad.


Sam Jones - Monday August 20, 2018 via Condolence Message
Animals make the world seem calmer. Sharing your life with an animal can fill a hole in your heart.
Tami and Paul, Mary and Roger - Saturday August 18, 2018 via Donation
To: P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center
In memory of Frank Rankin
Brendan Curran - Saturday August 18, 2018 via Donation
To: P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center
Lisa and Lenity, big hugs and kisses to you both. So sorry for your loss and the emotional roller coaster it brings. It is never easy to see our parents pass on, but sounds like he was very active to nearly the end. He was strong stitching in the fabric of Camden as we, who grew up there, can share the knowing nod. I'm sure our Moms greeted him warmly as he crossed over to join the others of the Camden core. While not able to attend the service, please find comfort in how much I admired your Dad. He was good people and his best qualities are passed onto you both. With love and fond family memories, Jim
Jim Hale - Friday August 17, 2018 via Condolence Message
Although I knew Camden from working here as a kid from away, I didn't meet Frank until 20 years ago after I bought a house here. Although I hadn't moved in yet, I was making long trips here from CT, to haul stuff up here before my CT house was sold. For one such trip in late fall I had dug up some small trees and shrubs to transplant in Camden before the weather turned. I needed some mulch and related material to dig the plants in before leaving for Ct that night, and went to Rankins late in the day to get the mulch etc. Turned out that they were out of mulch, but on my asking where I could find some and explaining my time limits, Frank, without hesitation asked me how much did I need, and then said " Look, I.ve got a pile sitting up in my back yard, and you just go up there and take what you need, and we'll figure things out whenever you get back up here'.

A good businessman, but more important, a fine man, perceptive and empathetic, and a conveyor of trust and of a sincere unforced willingness to help others.


After that first meeting, I didn't see Frank for many weeks, but when I finally did, he immediately greeted me by name, and I have had the pleasure of his acquaintance and our mutual greetings in the store or around town all these years since then. Frank was an enrichment to Camden and to so many people, including myself.
Art Warren - Friday August 17, 2018 via Condolence Message
My earliest memories of Rankin’s Hardware are from the 70’s, when Frank’s mom and dad were still working there and I was an aspiring carpenter in my 20’s. I barely knew which end of the hammer was which, and I had zero credit history to rely on. Knowing that I had to start somewhere in order to build credit, I asked Frank if I could start an charge account there at the store. I remember the long, considered look he gave me before allowing that he’d give me an account. It felt like a real vote of confidence for a young fellow who didn’t have much, and I’ve always been grateful to Frank for giving me a positive boost in my early adult life. I’ve figured out which end of the hammer is which by now, and I still enjoy walking into Rankin’s for all sorts of different commodities and the advice I get from the crew that works there. I’ll miss greeting Frank as he made his way around the aisles, and I send my condolences to Lisa and the family, as well as the crew at the store. He was a good man.
Brendan Curran - Friday August 17, 2018 via Condolence Message
Lenity, We are so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. We are happy to donate to the P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center on behalf of the memory of your dad.
Your Envirologix family - Thursday August 16, 2018 via Donation
To: P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center
George Sayre and Doris Smart - Thursday August 16, 2018 via Donation
To: P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center
After we moved to Camden in 1979, the first hardware store I visited was Rankin's. Frank helped me to find what I was looking for and pointed out several options that he had in stock. He was one of the nicest people I had met in the area. I became a dedicated Rankin's customer from that moment. I've always enjoyed talking construction with Frank, as he was one of my key go-to guys. Frank was the best hardware and building personality around.

My wife and I were first made aware of Frank's passing from a communication from our daughter in Chicago. When she was three years old she played contractor, wielding a 16-oz. Estwing hammer while wearing a RANKIN's INC. nail apron.

We will miss Frank.
Patrick and Gloria Ouillette - Thursday August 16, 2018 via Condolence Message
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