Frank E. "Spook" Spizuoco (1938 - 2023) RIPLEY - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Frank E. "Spook" Spizuoco, a longstanding citizen of the Dexter community. Born in Brooklyn, NY, on February 14th, 1938, Frank was the beloved son of Philip and Mary Martino Spizuoco. He grew up in Valley Stream, Long Island, NY, and was the cherished brother to Tony Spizuoco of West Hempstead, NY, and sister Phyllis Donovan of Aguilar, Colorado. Frank's formative years brought him to Dexter, where he aided his mentor, Don Holsapple, at Camp Dexter. It was there that he was introduced and connected deeply to "The Maine Woods" by Henry David Thoreau. His pursuit of higher education at the University of Maine saw him working tirelessly at a dairy farm in Ripley, Maine. This dedication resulted in him becoming the proud owner of the farm previously held by Albert & Pauline Folsom. He married Barbara Ann Folsom and together they raised three children: Anne Marie, Chris, and Frank Spizuoco. Additionally, Frank was a teacher at Dexter High School, coaching both football and wrestling. In 1963 Frank met 97 year old Bert Call. "'I was in my twenties when I met Bert and I learned a lot of Dexter history listening to him; he was a natural storyteller. You could say he had a kind of serenity about him, too. His life was marked by personal tragedy but his attitude was: It's God's way and I'm going to live with it. He had a wisdom and strength I admired." Frank believed that Bert Call never realized the value of his own work. Frank later went on to found and become the president of the Dexter Historical Society on May 1, 1966. Frank authored four local historical books, with his greatest single work before his passing being "Henry David Thoreau, Bert Call, and the Maine Woods", a meld of Bert L. Call's photographs and Thoreau's writings. Frank ventured into the realms of forestry and environmental research at the University of Maine, while still coaching the Orono wrestling team. His later years he returned home to the farm to raise heifers and became a forestry consultant. In 2004, the wrestling fraternity recognized his contributions with an induction into the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame. With a legacy spanning since 1958, Frank's words echoed his passion, "I love being an assistant coach. The job allows you more freedom and less concerns or worries about everything. As coaches, we have a great deal of influence on the kids. It's important to do the job well." Dexter had won 12 state championships in 46 years. Frank enjoyed discussing philosophy and participated in the "The Hedge Club" with friends, the Grahams and Holsapples, during summers. He enjoyed his time with close friend Liz Breault from the Abbott Memorial library and regularly participated in the book club there. Throughout the majority of his life Frank enthusiastically passed on what inspired him most. He quoted FDR (Franklin D. Roosevelt) who assumed the presidency at the depth of the Great Depression "The Only Thing We Have To Fear Is Fear Itself" words that helped the American people regain faith in themselves when hope was lost. He also often quoted "Follow Your Bliss" from the author Joseph Campbell. Frank lived his bliss on his own terms in the best way he knew how. He will be greatly missed and his contagious enthusiasm for life will be long remembered in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him. In his years of coaching and teaching, Frank was drawn to the athlete/student who may be struggling with challenges in life. He had a way of seeing the potential in these young adults and inspiring them to believe in themselves. For this reason his family is establishing a Scholarship in his name, designed to assist students who have overcome adversity in their lives. It is our way of honoring his memory. A memorial service will be held at 11 A.M. Thursday, November 9, 2023 at the Dexter Universalist Church. Donations in memory of Frank can be sent by check made payable to: Maine Community Foundation, 245 Main Street, Ellsworth, ME 04605 or made online www.mainecf.org/donate to establish the Frank Spizuoco Memorial Scholarship (see scholarship name in drop down of purpose designation on website).