Francis Kilton

OCEAN PARK — Francis D. Kilton, 96, of Ocean Park, known to many simply as “Gramps,” died Thursday March 20, 2014, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

Born in Whitneyville, on May 28, 1917, he was a son of William W. and Blanche (Roberts) Kilton.

Francis was drafted during World War II and served in the United States Army. He spent his early working career at Calderwoods Bakery, and later as an oil burner technician repairing boilers. Francis had many interests, including his biggest passion, fishing (once catching a 31.5-inch Snook), as well as his continual efforts playing the lottery, going to casinos and even a trip to mine for gold with the idea of getting his family rich. He loved spending time at his son’s cottage in Naples, whether it was for an afternoon snooze or to work around the yard. He also loved to spend time with his family at Castle Island Camps in Belgrade. With all this, for a man of his age, he made time to watch WWE wrestling every time it came on TV and would stay up until 11 p.m., and was as fresh as ever the next day.

Francis was predeceased by his parents, his wife Shirley, and his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his children, Robert Kilton and his wife Norma, Richard Kilton and Carol Cluff, Donald Kilton, Helen (Kilton) Hunter, and David Kilton and his wife Deborah. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 22 great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at A.T. Hutchins Funeral and Cremation Services, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland. Interment with military honors followed at Brooklawn Memorial Park, 2002 Congress St., Portland. To offer words of condolence and share memories with the family, please go to www.athutchins.com