Dr. Francis Steven Fletcher Jr.

Professor Francis (Frank) S. Fletcher Jr., Ed.D,  of Crittenden, Kentucky passed peacefully away early Thursday morning, July 27th, 2023 at his home after a long illness. He was 70 years old. Frank was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts at the Lawrence General Hospital on September 15th, 1952 to the late Francis S. Fletcher Sr. and Rita A. Fletcher (née Grace). In addition to his parents, Francis is preceded in death by a “Special Cousin,” Merry Weiler, and an adored Aunt, Marion Higgins.

Frank is survived by his wife Deborah, two “heart” Sons, Michael (Pamela) White of Crittenden, KY and Aaron (Marla) Walter of Parksville, British Columbia, Canada; his sister, Anne (Avram) Surath of New York State; Mother-In-Law, Dorothy C. Clancy of Crittenden, KY;  Brother-In-Law, Michael S. Clancy (Wendy) and their son, Joseph Daniel, of Hermon, Maine; “Special Cousins”: William Sullivan, Patricia (Rick) Hamilton, Ellen Marie (David) LaCharite, Chuck Weiler, and Joan Mitchell; as well as numerous other cousins.

Frank leaves a legacy of his four treasured Grandchildren: Devon M. White, Aliya J. White, Brittany L. Lowe, and Morgen M. Walter; as well his darling Great-Granddaughter, Rosemary Charlotte Lowe.

In the early 1980’s, while working as an Admissions Officer for the Technical Careers Institute of Connecticut in Bangor, Maine, it was chance, or perhaps fate, when Frank locked eyes with a woman who would truly prove to be love at first sight. On Wednesday, February 29th, 1984, Francis married the love of his life, Deborah in Manchester, NH.  The two celebrated 41 years together this past April.  This coming February would have marked their 40th wedding anniversary- or their 10th if you were to ask Francis, who enjoyed comically pointing out that they wed on Sadie Hawkins Day and only had an anniversary during leap years. The two would travel the world together; Ireland, Scotland, even ringing in the new millennium side by side as they spent New Years Eve in London as the ball dropped. They did everything together, a true partnership that resonated throughout their entire marriage- an epitome of love.

Frank was a man with an appetite for consuming life - a hunger that radiated throughout not only his very existence, but his chosen career paths as well. Frank spent his undergraduate years at University of Massachusetts Boston, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He received a Master’s Degree of Communications from Fitchburg State University (Massachusetts), and earned his Doctorate of Education from University of Massachusetts Amherst.  He excelled as a professional fundraiser, educator, and entrepreneur.

Frank could quickly come to understand the corporate culture of any company he interacted with. It was through these skills that he was able to become such a success wherever he went. As an entrepreneur, Frank was a fundraising consultant and a 20-year veteran as a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). He was Director of Fundraising at UMass Boston, Husson University, Bangor, Maine, UTEP, El Paso, Texas, and Drexel University School of Engineering Alumni in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a consultant he helped institutions such as the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bangor, Maine to reorganize and greatly improve efficiency of their care. In Belfast, Maine, he developed a retirement home, oversaw its formation from the ground up, beginning to end. He was an examiner for the Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. Frank was a 32nd Degree Mason and the Director of Development for the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, Northern Jurisdiction.  He was very involved in Toastmasters International clubs in Boston, Massachusetts and Midway, Kentucky. Through Toastmasters, Frank exemplified the vision of promoting communication, public speaking, and leadership skills to its members.

Frank was an educator at numerous institutions throughout the East Coast and Kentucky, instilling his vast expanse of knowledge to countless students and future generations to come. He sat as the Business Chair at Midway University, Midway, Kentucky, was Director of Development at Husson University in Bangor, Maine, taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Kentucky, as well as teaching for Northwood University (Michigan) at the Ford Auto Plant in Louisville, Kentucky and the Toyota Auto Plant in Georgetown, Kentucky. Frank also taught at several campuses in the Kentucky Community College System.  He co-edited and co-authored “Solutions,” a book on business problem solving with the business faculty at Midway University.

One of the most joyful events in life for Frank was the honor of watching his students walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, knowing that he had made an impact on their education and their lives. Frank knew the toils of educational leadership was worth it.  He said, “Everything is worth it when they tread across those boards.”

“He could do more work in 1 day than any 3 people.” Frank loved his work and he was gifted at what he did. Frank was an incredibly funny soul with an amazing sense of humor; a dutiful and devoted son, husband, heart (Step) father, and grandfather. He was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, as well as a lifelong advocate for the just, humane treatment of all his fellow man.

Dr. Fletcher will be interred at the Kentucky Veteran’s Cemetery North in Williamstown, Kentucky. The family invites you to celebrate the beautiful life of their beloved Frank at a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Saturday, September 16 from 2-6 o’clock in the afternoon at a location to be announced. In lieu of flowers and decorations, the family asks you to honor Frank with a gift in his name to any college or university of your choosing.