PORTLAND – Richard Francis Prince, U.S. Army, CW4 retired, passed away Dec. 14, at Maine Medical Center.

Dick was born Oct. 3, 1926, in Portland.

He was a life-long patriot and life member of the Gray American Legion Post 86 with 62 continuous years service to the American Legion and 26 years service in the U.S. Army.

He was also a member of the Gray First Congregational Church, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie 4131, a life member of 40 & 8 Locale 1003, the VFW Post 832, Chapter 3 of the DAV and the AMVETS Post 6.

In the American Legion, department offices held by him were finance officer 1986 to 1987, finance committee five years, oratorical committee eight years, Boys State assistant coordinator, three years, membership and post activities commission 1978 to 1979, leadership college 1986 to 1987, children and youth committee 2001 to 2003, chairman credentials 21 years, Maine Legionnaire Committee 2003, internal affairs 1997 to 1998, chairman public relations 2003, adjutant advisory (AD-HOC) 1998 to 1999, aide to department commander 1984 to 1985, delegate to state of Maine convention, Sgt. at Arms at the National Legion Convention.

In the district and county offices: first district commander 1978 to 1979, finance officer-district 30 years, county 24 years and Cumberland County commander 1977 to 1978; Gray Post 86 post offices: post commander 1976 to 1977, adjutant 37 years and finance officer 28 years; 40 & 8 Voiture 1003: 38-year member, Chef de Gare, Chef de Train, nurses training director 25 years, commissair intendant 20 years. Grande: nurses training scholarship director 14 years, executive committee 10 years, finance committee chairman 13 years, New England States delegate 13 years. Awards: Legionnaire of the Year 2003, and the recipient of the Binnie Durgin Award 2007.

He always aspired to do the very best for the American Legion, the 40 & 8, and the United States of America in ways he knew how. His 26 years experience in the U.S. Army was invaluable to the Gray American Legion, the 40 & 8 and Department of Maine as well as defined him as a person.

He took on and accepted responsibility for countless tasks, functions, offices as well as his day to day life and friendships by being respectful, right, honorable, honest; living and dying like a man with integrity and some never had the pleasure to know him. But mostly he was a true American, husband and father.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Beverly L. (Maxwell) Prince; daughter, Terry G. Prince-Tarsetti and her husband, Gene Tarsetti; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends and comrades.

He was predeceased by his parents, Guy and Kathryn (Leavitt) Prince.