Frank W. Richardson III ’65

Frank W. Richardson III, 80, of Beaumont, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Over the last few years, old age and health issues got the best of him and his heart just gave out. Frank is now in the arms of Jesus, surrounded with love and no longer in pain or suffering.

Frank was born on May 18, 1943, in South Portland, Maine. He graduated from South Portland High School in 1961 where he was a star football player, editor, and played trombone in the marching band. He received his Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering from Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine, “the finest engineering school in America.” He enjoyed his first of the month zoom calls with all the MMA guys.

In June of 1966, he married the love of his life who he met on board the ship at a Valentine’s Day dance in San Diego when the San Diego State University sororities held a dance on board. He hitchhiked twice from Maine to California before they married in 1966. He still has the box of love letters they exchanged over the years.

Frank’s first job at the age of five was sweeping the floors at the family grocery store on Stanford Street in Ferry Village. He moved to Beaumont in 1967 where he worked for Texaco on the U. S. Wyoming. Frank was a brilliant engineer and loved working at sea! His favorite ship was the Texas Oklahoma because it was an S. S. Steamer, and he loved every minute of it.

After many years of sailing, he started out at Bethlehem Steel as the night superintendent and worked his way up to the plant manager, where he was responsible for thousands of employees. His greatest accomplishment was bringing the only dry dock in the world from Hawaii to Port Arthur, Texas. The project took over a year. After 22 years at Bethlehem, he opened his own marine consulting firm until he retired.

Frank was a commander in the United States Navy and a Merchant Marine for 22 years. He was a member of the Hiram Masonic Lodge in South Portland, Maine, the Pontiac Club and Texas Lonestar Buick Club. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Beaumont and Grace Church in Houston.

Frank was a remarkable person with a dynamic and commanding spirit. He was classy and had a hilarious sense of humor, but still was mentally sharp as a whip until the end. His stories were captivating, and he could talk to you for hours. He gave great advice and definitely prepared his children for “the real world.” He always had a plan A, B, C, and D.

He absolutely adored his hometown of South Portland, Maine. Frank was better than any marketing or social media company, telling everyone they must go to Portland to experience the greatest place on earth. He would tell them to go have whole belly fried clams, real Italian sandwiches, drink Moxie, and stand in line for Red’s ice cream. Frank could always be found at his favorite spot, “Bugs Light,” just a few blocks away from his house, drinking coffee with a donut from the Cookie jar, reading the newspaper, and of course, watching the boats sail by.

He was a talented musician and played several instruments including the piano, trombone, and was a self-taught drummer. Some of his fondest memories included playing the drums in the band, “Peter and the Jaguars.”

Frank loved classic cars and oldies music. He built his own bass boat and was known for making the best pizza from scratch. Frank would often crank out 20 to 30 pizzas at a party.

He was known to all of his grandchildren as “Papa” – the man, the myth, the legend. You could not find another person more proud of his grandchildren. He loved them all so much and would do anything for them.

Dad…you were really, truly one of a kind. The most fantastic father and grandfather anyone could have known. You will be missed everyday but will remain in our hearts forever!

He is preceded in death by his father, Frank W. Richardson, Jr.; mother, Lila E. Thompson of South Portland, Maine; wife of fifty-eight years, Diane L. Richardson; and sister, Irene Cormier of Florida.

Frank is survived by his three children, Frank W. Richardson IV and his wife, Emily, and daughters, Annabelle, Annette, Naomi, and Emma, all of Lorena; daughter, Teresa Gay and her husband, Robert, and children, Grace, Taylor, and Hunter, all of Seabrook; daughter, Christy Shoffner and her husband, Jonathan, and daughter, Natalie, all of Humble; brother-in-law, Norman Cormier and nephew, Glenn of Saint Petersburg, Florida; cousins, Gene Brown of Rhode Island, Carol Campbell, and Lorana Campbell, both of South Portland, Maine.

Memorial contributions for Mr. Richardson can be made to Maine Maritime Academy, 1 Pleasant Street, Castine, Maine 04420.