Frank F. Pine

Frank F. The Old One Pine, 97, of Newport, died on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at his home, with family members present.Born in Middletown, RI on March 9, 1914, he was the son of the late Frank and Mary Pacheco Pine.Frank was predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Angelina C. Pine; his eldest son, Francis J. Pine; a granddaughter, Diane Batson; three brothers Fredrick Pine; Thomas Pine; and Manuel Pine; and seven sisters: Helen Ratkowski; Beatrice Paiva; Clara Bauje; Hilda Silvia; Isabella Walker; Marion Amerson; and Rose Sawyer.He is survived by his sisters: Madeline Blanchard of Waterford, CT; Margaret Deese of Yuma, AZ; Elsie Hicks of Chesapeake, VA; and a brother, Joseph Pine of Seattle, WA.He is also survived by his four daughters: Patricia Dennett of Middletown, RI; Gertrude Granger of Glasgow, KY; Veronica Perry of Newport; and Catherine Batson of Wilmington, NC; three sons: Thomas Pine of Long Beach, CA; Michael Pine of West Warwick; and Robert Pine of Newport; fifteen grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.A Navy veteran of WWII, Frank served in both the European/African/Middle Eastern and Asiatic/Pacific theaters of war. He participated in Operation Iceberg, the invasion of Okinawa, on L-Day, April 1, 1945, while serving in U.S.S. LST 621. Having volunteered for active duty during the Korean Conflict, he was awarded a Naval Unit Commendation Ribbon for service in U.S.S. Thompson DMS 38 during minesweeping operations at the port of Chinnampo.Following military service, Frank worked as a diesel engine mechanic and heavy equipment operator for the Public Works Center at the Newport Naval Base. He held numerous part-time jobs, primarily in the engine mechanic field, both before and after his retirement from government employment in 1973. A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, he obtained his first cycle when he was 24. His riding was curtailed by military service, but he later returned to his biking passion. He last rode his motorcycle on May 1, 2011, during the Newport Police Parade. Frank, at 97, was the oldest licensed motorcyclist in RI, and, it is widely believed, in all of the Untied States. Frank was a life member of the American Legion 66 years, the Veterans of Foreign Wars 17 years, and the Knights of Columbus 34 years. He held the rank of Captain in the Artillery Company of Newport, having joined that organization in 1937. He was also a life member of the Viking Riders of Rhode Island, of which he was a founding member; the Rhode Island Star Riders of Tiverton, of which he was a founding member; the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association; the American Legion Riders; and the Patriot Guard Riders.Frank lived and worked with a constant, enduring dependable energy reminiscent of the diesel engines which had so much defined his life.Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2011, from 4-7pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.A Mass of Christina burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at 10:00AM in St. Josephs Church, Broadway, Newport.Burial service, with military honors, will be held at St. Columbas Catholic Cemetery, Browns Lane, Middletown.In lieu of flowers, donations in Franks memory may be made to the Artillery Company of Newport, 23 Clarke Street, Newport, RI 02840.