1909 – 2004

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. – Frank M. Drigotas Sr., 94, died Jan. 31, in Ocean Springs, Miss., at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, with whom he had resided for the last six years.

Mr. Drigotas was born in Lewiston, on Nov. 25, 1909, the son of Martin and Carusa Drigotas.

He began a successful career in the men’s’ clothing business as a young man in high school and opened Frank’s Store For Men in 1939. The Lewiston store became well known for quality apparel and friendly service.

In 1966, he was elected to the Maine House of Representatives from Auburn and served six consecutive terms. Rep. Drigotas served on the Committee on Taxation and was House Taxation chairman for the 107th Legislature. During this time he worked in the men’s department of Jordan Marsh Co. He served two terms as chairman of the Auburn Democratic Committee and was a member of the Democratic County Finance Committee.

In his retirement he was an active member of SCORE, followed harness racing and enjoyed boxing matches and roulette in Las Vegas, Biloxi and Atlantic City. He thrice traveled to his parents’ Lithuania as executor of a significant estate.

Mr. Drigotas was past president of the Lewiston-Auburn Jaycees, past exalted ruler of the Lewiston Elks, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce and corporator of Androscoggin Bank and later, Peoples Bank. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, New Auburn Social Club and a devout member of St. Joseph’s Church.

Survivors include his son, Frank Jr. and daughter-in-law, Connie of Ocean Springs, Miss.; son, Martin of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Mary Girard and Ann Fahey, both of Lewiston and Sally of Auburn and Stuart, Fla.; and brother, Eddie of Palm Bay, Fla.; two stepdaughters, Elaine Hackett of Freeport and Sedona, Ariz., and Lillian Robinson and her husband, David of North Wayne; five step-grandchildren; and seven stepgreat-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Sophie; his second wife, Laurette; a daughter, Carolyn Thomas; a stepson, Thomas Hackett; his brother, John; and sister, Betty (Blanche) Robinson.

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