Francis “Frank” Andrew Folsom

WEST GARDINER – Francis “Frank” Andrew Folsom, 76, of Augusta, passed away May 1, 2026, leaving behind a story and presence that few men could ever match. Born on Jan. 24, 1950, to Anna and Frank Folsom, Frank lived loudly, fearlessly, and entirely on his own terms. At just 17-years-old, Frank enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served as a Lance Corporal in the Vietnam War, where he was wounded in combat and was awarded the Purple Heart. He carried that toughness and grit with him for the rest of his life, though those closest to him knew that hard exterior hid a man who would give someone the shirt off his back without hesitation. Frank was many things throughout his life: Marine, boxer, wheeler-and-dealer, storyteller, outlaw spirit, and local legend. Around central Maine, he became known as a man impossible to forget. Whether he was buying and selling antiques, talking his way into or out of trouble, using the local Dunkin Donuts as a personal office and listing the payphone as his office number Frank did things his own way and never apologized for it.

He was a Golden Gloves boxer who loved a good fight almost as much as a good laugh. The stories surrounding him became larger than life over the years and somehow, most of them were true. Frank once owned a lion (no seriously, a lion!) a fact his family and friends still shake their heads and laugh about today and even had grandsons kicked out of classes for talking about it. He was the kind of man they don’t make anymore: unpredictable, compelling, headstrong, generous, hilarious, and impossible to ignore. Those who knew Frank understood there were really two sides to him: the soft man who would rather be around animals than people including his daughter’s dog “Princess Rey” who he considered one of his grandchildren, or the unyielding man always flirting with conflict. There were struggles and battles he carried privately, but when he was “On,” there was nobody like him.

Being one of 12 children, he had a way of filling a room, commanding attention, and leaving an impression people carry forever. Even in his later years, when his eyes may have been closed more often than not, his mind never stopped moving. Frank remained sharp, observant, and unapologetically himself until the very end. Above all else, Frank loved deeply.

He was predeceased by siblings, Bill and his wife Donna Nutting, Valerie Tilly, Shirley Gossline, Richard Folsom, Robert Folsom and Joanne Bonsant; son, Joshua Folsom, as well as Kelley M. Jackson Guerrette, remembered by family as the love of his life. The two shared a bond that became part of Frank’s story forever. He leaves behind his son Corey Folsom and wife Melinda; grandsons, Francis Folsom and wife Abigail, Cameron Folsom and fiancé Allie Simoes, and the lights of his life; his only granddaughter Olivia Folsom and only daughter Sunshine J. Folsom He also leaves behind his sister Jeanne Nicholas and her son Mathew Nicholas; brother Henry Folsom; brother in-law Roger Lessard; friends, Debbie and Ken Cloutier, along with several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and countless friends who all have stories about “Frank” that sound almost too wild to believe. Frank was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, but titles will never fully encapsulate who he was. He was the kind of man who created stories people will still be telling decades later.

No one could ever replace him. Frank Folsom was larger than life, and the impact he had on the people around him will outlive him for generations.

Frank’s Burial will be held July 2 at Maine Vets Cemetery, Celebration of life to follow from 2:30 to 5 p.m., at the Legion Post 2 in Augusta.