NORTH BALDWIN — Millard Frank Tripp Jr., 77, of North Baldwin, peacefully died on Dec. 25, 2011 at his home after a long illness.

He was born in East Baldwin on Sept. 6, 1934, a son of Millard F. Tripp Sr. and Daisy Grant Tripp. He attended East Baldwin Grammar Schools and graduated from Potter Academy as a member of the Class of 1952 even though he missed his entire junior year because of an accident, which badly injured his leg.

Millard worked at F.E. Wood and Sons Mill in East Baldwin nailing pallets as a teenager. As a young man, he built bombs at the shipyard in Portland. He also worked at the Kezar Falls Woolen Mill and at Benjamin Lewis Lumber Co. in Portland. He then drove a gas truck for G.W. Jewett’s in East Baldwin for several years. After another accident and leg injury, he was forced to change his occupation.

Millard became an optician and worked for Dr. William Tolford in Portland from 1960 to 1970. He worked for Berrie’s Guild Opticians from 1970 to 1973, and later for Pearl Vision Center on Congress St. until 1979. He was then manager of the Pearl Vision Center in the Maine Mall for three years, leading all of New England in sales for those three years. He and Marjorie bought the Pearl Vision franchise on Congress Street in 1983 and ran that together for 18 years. In 1991, the name became Tripp’s Family Eyewear. He retired in 2001.

He married Marjorie E. Wiggin on Nov. 21, 1965.

Millard was a member of the Mt. Etna Grange in North Baldwin for several years. He was a member of the Greenleaf Masonic Lodge #117, A.F. and A.M. in Cornish, where he was Master in 1970. In 1975, he received a plaque from the 18th Masonic District in recognition of dedicated and outstanding achievement. He received his 50-year pin in July, 2011. He was also a member of the Kora Temple Shrine.

He was a member and then chairman of the Sebago Planning Board for seven years and was also a member of the North Baldwin Fire Dept. for many years.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading and woodworking in his workshop. He had a camp on Barker Pond in Sebago for 33 years and loved spending time there.

He loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and above all loved spending time with all of his family. He truly enjoyed many family reunions each year at his home as it was Marjorie’s family home. You couldn’t meet a more honest man. “His word was his bond.” Millard will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Surviving are his beloved wife, Marjorie Tripp of North Baldwin; a son, Michael Tripp of Waxhaw, N.C.; a daughter, Chrystal Tripp-Corvin from Maine; a brother, Barry Tripp of Standish; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; also several very much loved nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were on Wednesday, Dec. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple Street, Cornish where a Masonic service was be held at 6 p.m. immediately followed by a funeral service. Pastor Will Kindred officiated.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: The Greenleaf Masonic Lodge, c/o Mike Singleton, P.O. Box 245, Parsonsfield, ME 04047 or The Animal Refuge League, P.O. Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098.