Francis Frank E. Eltman

Francis Frank E. Eltman, 87, of South Portland, died Friday, February 19, 2016 at Mercy Hospital. Born in Portland on June 19, 1928, he was the son of the late George and Mary (Mulkern) Eltman. He attended Portland High School prior to joining the US Army Air Corps during WWII. Following his service in WWII, Frank served his country again during the Korean Conflict as a photographer in the US Army. During his service, one of Franks most memorable moments was when he was asked to photograph McArthurs Parade in New York City. In the following years, Frank returned to Portland where he met Katherine Rita Lowery. Frank and Kay were married in 1960 at St. Dominics Church. Together, they enjoyed 49 years of marriage until she predeceased him in 2009. In the years of her illness, Frank took complete care of Kay offering her his complete devotion, love and care. Frank worked as a salesman in the paint business for over 30 years. During that period, he worked for Chilton Paint, Burgess-Forbes Paint, and California Paint. He later worked as a maintenance clerk for the US Postal Service in Portland. He was a member of South Portland VFW Post 832, Disabled American Veterans, Harold T. Andrews American Legion Post 17, and a communicant of the former St. John the Evangelist Church. He enjoyed woodworking and cabinet making. Frank was a proud Irish Catholic from Gorhams Corner who went above and beyond to help anyone in need. In addition to his parents and wife, Frank is predeceased by his sister, Barbara Beck; brothers, John and Joseph Eltman. He is survived by his stepson, Dennis Sisti and wife Audrey of South Portland; granddaughters, Shanna Sisti of South Portland, Tessa Sisti-Marshall of South Portland; great-grandson, Finn Marshall; nephew, John Beck and wife Bonnie of Portland; and niece Patricia Eltman of South Portland. Also survived by several extended family members and friends. Visiting Hours will be held on Sunday from 2-4PM at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Monday at 9:15AM followed by a 10AM Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Arrangements are under the direction of Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Homes, proudly serving the Veterans of Greater Portland. To view Franks memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ctcrawford.com. Do not enlarge me in death to be more of a man than I was in life. Do not exaggerate my accomplishments. Neither, mask my blemishes for they were part of who I was. Instead, if you can, just do this Remember me as a good man, a decent man, a man who loved his family, defended his land, and cherished his friends. Remember me, and bid me farewell, as I begin my journey. Remember me, as I fly, fly away. Come, take wing with me. I will wait for thee. Unknown