William "Frank" Franklin Rose

It is with deep sadness and profound love that the family of William “Frank” Rose, age 74, of North Berwick, Maine, share that after a courageous cancer battle, he peacefully entered into eternal rest at his home on October 15, 2025, holding the hand of his devoted wife, Linda, and surrounded by his adoring children and family.

Born on December 20, 1950, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Frank was the son of the late Roger and Ruby (Cobb) Rose. His family later relocated to North Berwick, Maine, where he spent most of his youth and formed the lifelong friendships and roots that shaped his life.

A 1969 graduate of North Berwick High School, Frank married the love and light of his life, Linda (DeRoy) Rose, on April 18, 1970. Together, they shared 55 wonderful years of marriage and raised their two children, Ruby and Christopher, in Lebanon, Maine, later retiring back to North Berwick.

Frank was a devoted father and an active presence in his community, volunteering as a coach for the Lebanon Little League and Babe Ruth baseball teams. For more than three decades, he also served as a football coach for the Noble Pee-Wees, Noble Squires, Noble Middle School, Noble High School, and Somersworth Junior High School. Generations of young athletes remember “Coach Rose” as a mentor who taught them not only the game, but the values of hard work, perseverance, and integrity—treating every player as one of his own “sons.”

Frank was a graduate of the Apprentice Program at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where he worked for many years as a Shipfitter before retiring as a business agent overseeing ship overhauls and staff after 32 years of dedicated service. He cherished the friendships formed there, both with colleagues and with teammates on the Shipyard’s Men’s Softball Team.

A passionate sports fan, Frank rooted faithfully for the Buffalo Bills, the Boston Bruins, and loved the world of stock car racing. Yet, nothing brought him more joy than supporting his grandchildren in their activities. Known affectionately as “Grampa,” “Grampa Frank,” and “Gramps,” he was a proud member of his grandson Connor’s pit crew, from go-karts to stock cars, and an enthusiastic supporter of grandson Brody’s journey through hockey and mixed martial arts, and grandson Tanner’s adventures in truck racing, football, and hockey. He was also a devoted cheerleader at the gymnastics and drama performances of his granddaughters, Allison and Lauren. In his final years, he also cherished time with his great-grandchildren Finnigan and Quinn. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he treasured every moment spent with them.

Frank is survived by his loving wife, Linda; his daughter, Ruby (Rose) Sequeira, and her husband, Frank, of Kittery Point, Maine; his son, Christopher Rose of North Berwick, Maine; grandsons Connor McDougal and his wife, Haley, and great-grandchildren Finnigan and Quinn of Somersworth, New Hampshire; Brody McDougal and Jade Lawler of Rochester, New Hampshire; and Tanner McDougal and Cara Letourneau of Rochester, New Hampshire; granddaughters Allison Rose and husband Jake of Avon, Connecticut, and Lauren Rose of Queens, New York. He is also survived by his siblings Debra Harrison and her husband, Duncan, of North Carolina; Charlene Shaw and Michael DeRoy of North Berwick; and Freeman Rose and his wife, Janice, of North Berwick; brothers-in-law Charlie “Butch” DeRoy and his wife, Joyce, of Tennessee, and Marc DeRoy and his wife, Beth, of Alton, New Hampshire; sisters-in-law Maggie Pike of Berwick, Maine, and Lorraine Bautista and her husband, Alex, of California; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family who loved him dearly.

Frank is pre-deceased by his great-grandson Grady James McDougal. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Grady’s memory to The Allo Hope Foundation whose mission is to prevent harm, stillbirth and infant death caused by alloimmunization and HDFN. Donations can be made by visiting https://allohopefoundation.org/get-involved/donate.

Funeral services will be celebrated on Saturday, November 1, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Christian Church, 129 Lower Main Street, North Berwick, Maine, with interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Berwick.

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