BROWNFIELD – Francis Faustino Ontengco, 79, of Brownfield, passed away peacefully at his home on Oct. 6, with his family by his side.

Frank grew up in New York City, and graduated from Harren High School in 1946. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served in China from 1946 to 1947, as an aviation mechanic with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fighter Squadron, VMF-115. He specialized in the maintenance and repair of the F4U-4 Corsair.

In 1953, he joined the New York Police Department, where he served for 20 years as a patrolman, a narcotics, larceny and homicide detective. He retired in 1973 from NYPD as a “gold shield” detective. After spending many years vacationing in Maine, he and his family moved to Maine in 1973. Later that year, he joined the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department, where he worked for 18 years, retiring as a senior patrol sergeant.

He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was an avid outdoors man. During retirement, he found tremendous enjoyment in the time spent in the woods, hunting and fishing. Some of his fondest memories included those spent with his son Tim, and their friends Paul Baross of Freeport and Matt Baker of Stow, on their recent moose hunting trips in the Northern Maine woods. He also enjoyed spending time with friends, sipping coffee, trading police stories and watching movies.

He was also an accomplished artist. He enjoyed painting and drawing. He taught himself the fine art of woodcarving, which led to the establishment of a small business, which he named The Wooden Angler, specializing in replica fish carvings.

He was a baseball enthusiast. He was a loyal and devoted fan of “the greatest baseball team in the world” – The New York Yankees.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Norma Ontengco of Brownfield; his son and his wife, Timothy and Julie Ontengco of Brownfield; his beloved grandchildren, twins, Thomas and Abigail Ontengco of Brownfield; his sister and her husband, Joan and Tony Restilla, of Woodside, N.Y.; his brother and his wife, John (Jake) and Pamela Ontengco of Mishawaka, Ind.; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Faustino and Alice Ontengco; and his eldest son, Thomas Ontengco in 1993.