Francis S. Paine Jr.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — Francis Shorey Paine Jr., 83, formerly of Eliot, passed away on March 22, 2012, at home surrounded by family and friends.

He was born Sept. 11, 1928, the son of late Francis Shorey Payne and Relefa Isabel McIntire. He spent his childhood in Denmark.

On Nov. 29, 1952, he married the late Frances Geneva Paine.

He served on the USS Roanoke, USS Chewaucan, USS Barney and USS Sierra in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer in 1969.

After his military retirement, he was employed by the Civil Service working at Cecil Field for over 30 years, retiring in 2000, after closing down the base.

He was an original founding member of the Maxville Community Athletic Association, having a ball field dedicated in his name — the Honcho Francis Paine Field. He volunteered his time umpiring and refereeing athletic events, mentoring and shaping the lives of countless young people.

He was also a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville. He was the oldest of 11 siblings.

He was predeceased by siblings Gwendolyn, Carroll and Rayfield; and a granddaughter.

He is survived by brothers George of Keystone Heights, Fla., Roland of Cabot, Vt., Dennis of Chesapeake, Va., Robert of Raymond and Herbert of Denmark; sisters Velma of Arcadia, N.Y. and Sandra of Falmouth; his daughters Shirley Veto and Sharon McDonald, both of Jacksonville, Fla.; his sons, James Paine and Paul Paine, both of Jacksonville, Fla.; 16 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

Visitation was held on Monday, March 26, 2012 at Jacksonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 111 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, Fla. Funeral services were held in the chapel on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.