It is with great sadness that we share that Frank D. “Skip” Mansfield, age 88, died as he lived; peacefully and quietly. Frank passed away unexpectedly from heart complications on September 26, 2022 in his home, with his wife by his side. Frank was a devoted and loving husband and the quintessential father and grandfather; unconditional in his love and unwavering in his patience and support. There are no words to express how much we will miss him.
Frank was born to Isabelle Susie (Webber) and Harry LeRoy Mansfield on February 4, 1934. He spent his childhood and adolescence on Chebeague Island, Maine; in a home that remains part of our family, and where countless years of memories across generations have been made. Frank attended school in a one room schoolhouse on the Island and graduated at the top of his class from Chebeague Island High School in 1952. Frank continued his education at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine with a full scholarship, graduating in 1955 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Frank moved to Connecticut shortly afterward to pursue a career in Engineering that would span more than 40 years. Frank worked for Hartford Steam Boiler as a Loss Control Engineer for more than 30 years before retiring and working as a highly sought after consultant in his field into his eighties. He traveled extensively with the Merchant Marines during his college years and as a part of the Reserves after graduation, and continued throughout his life to travel the world both professionally and for leisure with his wife and family. Frank was also a 32nd Degree Mason, as well as a Shriner, and enjoyed his connections within these organizations.
Frank was highly intelligent in every way; he was as beautiful and expressive of a writer as he was creative in his ability to problem
solve. Dad could “MacGyver” anything from fixing our car on the side of the highway with a piece of bubblegum to rewiring a house with electrical tape. His work ethic was strong, and he taught us through his example the value and pride that comes from a hard day's work; whether it be at the office, in the yard, or completing countless projects at home. He taught us “not to take any wooden nickels”. He taught us that there’s more value in straightening a bent nail than the pennies it costs for a shiny new one. He taught us that less is more; in every way. He was a tireless and patient listener, a thoughtful and selfless advice giver; in fact, he was selfless in all that he did and thought. He taught us, through his example, the honor in, and importance of, taking responsibility and caring for others above yourself. Dad put us all ahead of himself every day, with every thought and every decision. He was, very simply put, a good man.
Frank would move to Connecticut to pursue his career, and Connecticut became his home for decades to come. Frank married his first wife Betty Cleaves in May, 1956 and had his first two children with Betty; Julie and Vicki. Frank and his wife of 54 years, Barbara, married in October, 1968, after meeting on a blind date just six months before. They both shared the memory of their “love at first sight” story countless times throughout their marriage. Theirs was a marriage of utter devotion and tireless care for each other, and their love was evident to all who knew them. Frank and Barbara raised their children, Jennifer and Darren, in Connecticut, with a brief stay in Georgia f
or a relocation through his work. They shared their loving home and cared for both Frank and Barbara’s mothers for many years as they aged. As their children married and grandchildren were born, their life was busy and fulfilling; full of sports games, boy scout events, family outings, countless school events and graduations from preschool through graduate school, family vacations, and a shared world as devoted grandparents. Frank adored his grandchildren, and they loved, respected, and admired their Poppy with all their hearts. Their Poppy was their role model, their playmate, their caregiver, their biggest fan, and one of the most influential people to them as they grew. He is a part of each of us, and his legacy will live on through what we have learned through his example.
Frank was predeceased by his parents Isabelle and Harry, his sister and brother in law, Katherine and Edward Lam, his cousin who was like a brother to him, Eddie Lam, his mother in law, Bertha Anderson, sister in law, Nancy Anderson, and Julie and Vicki’s mother, Betty. Left to mourn and feel the loss of his earthly presence is his wife, Barbara Mansfield, his children and their spouses, Julie and Randy of Gorham, Maine, Vicki and Walter of Scarborough, Maine, Jennifer and Gary of Somers, CT, and Darren and Marshae, of Cary, NC, his grandchildren Jessica, Justin, Jacob, Luke, Emily, Allison, Zach, Madison, and Casey, his great-grandchildren, Jamie, Riley, Lily, Jace, Lucy, and Ivy, his brothers and sisters in law Richard and Mary Ann and Janet and Michael, and many cousins and nieces and nephews; all of whom are a part of Frank’s tight knit and close extended family.
