SCARBOROUGH – Franklin James Ward, 82, of Scarborough, passed away on June 18, 2025.

Frank was born on Aug. 15, 1942, in Portland, son of the late Irene Virginia (Collins) Ward and Philip James Ward. Frank and his younger sister, Marianne (passed on Nov. 23, 2017), grew up in South Portland, spending most of his time in a small home just outside the Willard Square neighborhood of South Portland. As a young child he was introduced to the world of arts- dance, piano, acting and elocution. Later in life Frank would tell stories to his children of how he abhorred these lessons and didn’t have an ounce of creative blood in him, though the elocution lessons paid off as he was an outstanding public speaker.

Frank graduated from South Portland High School in 1960 and went to The University of Maine in Orono to ultimately earn his master’s degree in Chemistry in 1966. During those years, he spent endless nights at the library studying and courting his soon to be wife, June. Date nights tended to take place in the halls of Fogler Library. Frank and June Norton married in the summer of 1964 at Holy Cross Church in South Portland.

After graduating, Frank and June, with two young children, Michael and Erin, moved to Rochester, N.Y., where he began his career as a chemist at Kodak. Missing his family in Maine, Frank, June, and their young family, now including a third child, Brian, moved back to South Portland.

Frank began a new career at S.D. Warren (now SAPPI Westbrook) as a chemist working in the specialty release paper division, tasked with working on developing new types of coatings for specialty paper. This career spanned the rest of his working life. His work with specialty release papers would eventually lead to new innovations in electron beam coating methods and the invention of Ultracast, the main source of revenue for SAPPI Westbrook to this day.

Frank and June had two more children, Kevin and Stephen, and raised their family in Cape Elizabeth.

Frank enjoyed travel, going on many vacations to Disney World, visiting National Parks and going to Europe. Frank enjoyed family gatherings and cookouts. He also had a sweet tooth with a love of Cookie Jar jelly donuts, homemade blueberry pie with extra sugar and black licorice. Frank had a passion for running and participating in numerous 5Ks including the Beach to Beacon in Cape Elizabeth.

Frank retired from SAPPI in 2008 but was quickly brought back on as a consultant until he ultimately left in 2019.

Frank is survived by his wife, June; his five children, Michael of Deatsville, Ala., Erin of Rancho Mirage, Calif., Brian and his wife Tisha of Wetumpka, Ala., Kevin and his wife Heather of Kennebunkport, Stephen and his wife Becky of Auburn; two nieces, Amber McGrath-Guterman of Marietta, Ga. and Holly Menchaca of Naples, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The family’s deepest gratitude goes out to all of the staff at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough for their wonderful and dignified care. A private family gathering will be held in Frank’s honor.