Frank Coolidge. (Courtesy photo)
Francis Parkman Coolidge, “Frank,” died peacefully in his sleep near dawn, May 19, after a long illness and period in hospice care. He was 98 years old.
Frank was born to Susannah Cunningham Coolidge and John Templeman Coolidge of Milton on Feb.10, 1928. Youngest brother to Jack, Paul, Gloria, and Susette, he grew up in the caring and adventure-filled embrace of older siblings on a sprawling family estate.
Frank is survived by his wife of nearly 75 years, Emilie Speare Coolidge; three children: Francis Jr., of New Orleans, Louisiana; William of Knebel, Denmark; Eleanor Behrstock of Halifax, Vermont; and adopted son, Ban Koun, of Shrewsbury. He also leaves seven grandchildren: Ian Behrstock and six others surnamed Coolidge (Samuel, Tazio, Silas, Philip, William, Thea), and four great-grandchildren. The family mourns his loss.
Frank attended Milton Academy, Kent School, and graduated from Harvard College in the Class of 1949. He served in the United States Navy on the isle of Guam from 1946-47.
Frank and Emilie met while traveling during the summer of 1950. They married in September 1951, and moved to Harvard in 1953, where they renovated an old colonial farm and raised their family. The house had no running water, electricity, or heat at the time of purchase. The land of Deerhorn Farm became home to countless horses, dogs, cows, chickens, and sheep over the years (1953-1990). Frank worked tirelessly on the land, creating with Emilie a place of great beauty, hosting various community functions, including the Harvard Roxbury Summer Day Camp, Harvard Unitarian Church auction, Deerhorn Farm Riding Association, Pony Club, and countless dressage schooling shows. Being steward to the land of Deerhorn, with its deep history, helped to impact Frank’s interest in land conservation.
In 1983, Frank and Emilie fostered Ban Koun, later adopting him into the family.
Frank and Emilie moved to Boxborough in the early 1990s and then to Orchard Hill Assisted Living in Sudbury in 2024.
Frank had a career as a stock investment analyst and was director of research at Mass Financial Services and Lowell Blake Associates in Boston.
Frank is remembered for his kindness, good-natured calm, warm listening ear, gentle humor, adventurous spirit undaunted by risk (for example, buying Deerhorn Farm and while sailing coastal waters), boundless, generous energy, and strong civic drive. He made many significant contributions to his communities, including supporting Fruitlands Museum in Harvard from 1955-2021, with terms as president and treasurer; founding the Harvard and Boxborough conservation trusts; and serving as president or treasurer of the Harvard Unitarian Church. He also served on the School Committee of the Harvard public schools and the Finance Committee for the Indian Hill Music School.
A celebration of Frank’s life will be held at Harvard Unitarian Church Sunday, July 12, at 10 a.m., followed by a reception in the Fellowship Building. All are warmly welcome to attend.