ALFRED — Francis C. “Frank” Mongue Jr., 69, of Mouse Lane in Alfred, died after an 11-month fight with cancer. He was surrounded by his family and close friends when he passed on Oct. 3, 2017, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

Frank was born on April 30, 1948 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts the son of Francis C. and Helen M. (Shaw) Mongue, Sr. and grew up Dalton, Massachusetts. Frank was a 1966 graduate of Wahconah Regional High School and attended Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He received his degrees in Environmental Science and Criminal Justice.

Frank was very proud of his service in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969 during the Vietnam War, where he was a Crew Chief specializing in UH1B (Huey) and the LOH6A (Cayuse) Helicopters.

Frank decided to become a Maine State Trooper in 1978, applied and was accepted to the Academy on Jan. 8, 1979. At that time the Academy was in Waterville. Frank got his first speeding ticket on his way to the Academy that day! Frank was a 31-year veteran of the Maine State Police, beginning in 1979 through 2010. As a young Trooper, with Troop G, Frank patrolled the turnpike from 1979 to 1986. He then transferred into Commercial Vehicle Enforcement with Troop K, serving from 1986 to 2010. Frank was an animal lover and became a Drug Enforcement Canine Handler with his partner, “Affie.” During his long and fulfilling career, Frank was Trooper of the Year with Troop K in 2007.

Trooper Mongue was from a day when being a trooper was very different in many, many ways, and when being a trooper was being a “Bear.” (He received the Bear Award in 2009) Frank was that cantankerous, grizzled, opinionated, animated co-worker that you just can’t help liking. Some of Frank’s fondest memories included working with all of the different agencies; the Secret Service, FBI, Border Patrol, Immigration, the Coast Guard (while being part of the security detail for then- Vice President George H.W. Bush) and the local police departments and sherriff’s offices.

In the years before his retirement, Frank was a collector, buyer and seller of automobile memorabilia. Each October he would travel to Hershey, Pennsylvania for the annual swap meet. He and his dog Stripe were a common sight there over the years.

After retirement, he and his wife, Francine, established the Mongue Farm in Alfred, Maine. They created a safe haven for rescued dogs, horses, donkeys and goats. They also had two cows and an assortment of chickens. They both shared a passion for the farm and all the work involved. Frank also collected tractors and old farm equipment; which can be seen everywhere at the farm.

Frank is survived by his wife, Francine (Tremblay) Mongue of Alfred; his children, Jennifer J. Malanowski of Chicopee, Massachusetts; Melissa S. Laws of Chicopee, Massachusetts; Jason D. Mongue of Sanford, Maine and step-son, Keith B. LaChance of Poland, Maine; his grandchildren, McKenna and McKallum Malanowski, Sophia and Piper Laws, and step granddaughter, Chelsea LaChance; his brother, Lawrence A. Mongue of St. Petersburg, Florida and his sister, Jo-Ann M. Mongue of Lyman; his Trooper brothers, Robbie Nichols, Kevin Donovan and Breen Savage; Fellow Collector and Seller, Tom Penny; Farming Friend Bill Karchar and “Other Sis” B.J. Empey.

Family and friends may call on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Autumn Green Funeral Home, 47 Oak St., Alfred.

A Graveside Service with military honors will be held on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017 at 10 a.m. at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery, 83 Stanley Road, in Springvale.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at the New England Cancer Specialists in Kennebunk for their support and kindness shown to Frank and his family.

To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.autumngreenfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, ME 04074.

The Autumn Green Funeral Home is respectfully handling arrangements.