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Frank Spain Obituary

SPAIN, Frank T. A real estate development professional, died on December 14, 2010, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was 57 years old. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Mr. Spain moved with his family to Raleigh as a teenager. He graduated from Sanderson High School in Raleigh and from the North Carolina State University School of Design, with a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture. Mr. Spain began his career in the Boston area, where he worked for firms such as Aberthaw Construction, Boston Properties, and Leggett McCall. He also worked on several major commercial projects in New York City and Prague, Czech Republic, before moving back to North Carolina in 1993. Subsequent employers included Codman Corporation Services and Trammel Crow, for whom he managed projects around the country. Among his notable, and favorite, projects were 73 Tremont Street in downtown Boston and Columbus Circle in New York City. Along with his interest in making good buildings, Frank had sophisticated and enthusiastic passions for food, wine, sailing, and skeet-shooting. He will be remembered for his intelligence, curiosity, energy, and sharp wit; his integrity and tenacity; and his aiming for excellence throughout life. Mr. Spain was predeceased by his parents, Mary Lee and Raymond George Spain. He leaves Genevieve Murray and her daughter Skylar Garris, of Destin, FL, whom he treasured as a daughter and a granddaughter; many loyal friends; and the lively comraderie of his seven siblings: Kathleen Lindstrom of Rosamond, CA; Raymond Spain of Peoria, IL; Mary Dingeldein of Burlington, NC; Tom Spain of Batavia, IL; Marta Kimball of Denver, CO; David Spain of DeKalb, IL; and Tanya Neilson of Peoria, IL. A memorial service is planned for spring 2011. Donations may be made in Frank's memory to the LIVESTRONG Foundation or Hospice Home of Wake County.

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Published by Boston Globe from Dec. 25 to Dec. 26, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Frank Spain

34 Entries

David

December 19, 2024

Still missing you and your hilarious sense of humor, brother. Be well.
Love from David

Jo Moore

January 16, 2024

Wow... gone way too soon. I was at NC State with Frank and later worked with his sister Kay for the Grounds Dept State of NC. Intelligent and compassionate. I know he is missed.

David

December 20, 2023

Missing my brother regulary; particularly his sense of humor. Rest in peace, Frank. Your brother, David

Patrick Collins

October 2, 2023

Frank I just found this after many years. I guess you have been reunited with my brother Louis in a better place. Bless you both and your brother Ray.

January 23, 2012

Dear Frank,
In heaven I wish for God to give you a Davy Crockett hat instead of a halo. I hope you understand how much Joshua and I have benefited from your love, and from your helping hands.
Ta Soeur, Kathleen

Joshua Harper

January 22, 2012

I'll never forget the kindness you showed me in Carolina when I was I'll and I'll never forget the day I told you I would be well on a rainy morning from campus. I wanted to covey to you that day that your time with me was effectual and enduring. With love, thank you, Uncle.

Kathleen Lindstrom

December 14, 2011

Impossible to believe that it's been an entire year. Long-lost, wonderful memories of you keep popping up, and I miss you more than ever.
XOX
Kathi

Kathleen Lindstrom

October 9, 2011

October 09, 2011
Frupster,
I miss you so much that it stuns me. It truly stuns me every day.
We shared a lot that the others missed out on, such grand stuff! Pray that I keep my ducks in a row so we can meet again some day. Love always, Kathi

The Prettiest Baby and Runner Up; which is which?

Marta Spain

July 2, 2011

He so loved the outdoors

Marta Spain

July 2, 2011

Sheer joy

Marta Spain

July 2, 2011

Marta Spain

July 2, 2011

December 13, 2010
Dear Frank, I am thinking of you constantly and hope you will get to a comfortable place today. You have made a good hoice to let others ease some small part of your burden. I love you brother! God blesses you and will keep you safe. Believe it. Love, M

Marta's favorite

Marta Spain

July 2, 2011

Spain Family

Mary

February 15, 2011

January 27, 2011

January 25, 2011

Doris & Bert Welling

January 25, 2011

Frank,
I never thought I would be writing this. I thought you might write about me.
I was there when your Mom brought you home from the hospital. I couldn't tell then how handsome you would be! But then all you Spains followed that pattern.
From Grose Ile and the "Wonder Smell" toto Northe Carolina, and then California all of you afforded me so much pleasure & fun. You had your father's srnse of humor which I loved.
None of us who loved you were ready for this but I know you were.
Smooth sailing on this your ultimate journy, and pick me up at the dock when it's my turn,and I'll bring the Champagne.
Love you so much

Aunt Doris & Bert

Jan DePonio

January 24, 2011

Frank was an important part of our family and I will miss him so much. He was such a kind, giving person with the best sense of humor and I will always keep the memories of him close. All of the Spains are in my thoughts and prayers.

Mary DeCarolis

January 24, 2011

Words cannot adaquately express the saddness I have felt since Frank's passing. He was a very special person in my life, and I always enjoyed the time we spent together. While I wish I could have seen him one more time, I am very grateful that he chose to join the family at Tom and Pam's this past summer. We had a lot of laughs (as usual) despite the fact that he wasn't feeling well. I'm so glad that I took a ton of pictures. It still makes me tearful when I think of our good bye. I love you Frank and think of you often. Peace be with you, my love. Give your mom and dad a kiss for me. See you in the next world.

Sharon Peale

January 23, 2011

I miss Frank so much. He was such a good friend to me, I could always count on him for so many things. I especially miss our talks while having coffee and watching him enjoy playing with the children.
They always say "true friends you can count on one hand". He was one of them and I will always miss him. Think of him every day, when I go to the store, cook, make coffee or just want to talk to a friend.

Andrea, Kathleen, and Frank, Wilmington, NC, March 2010.

Mary Dingeldein

January 23, 2011

Here's that photo you were looking for, Kathi. It's from last March when Steve drove us all to Wilmington to see Andrea and to walk on the beach. It was such a beautiful day.

Mary Dingeldein

January 23, 2011

I have certainly been feeling Frank's absence lately. I had been spending so much time with him through last fall and now I am not going back and forth to Raleigh anymore. In addition, I have begun going through some of his papers, bills, cards, etc. (he saved everything) and that has served as sort of a life review. Also, little things come up and I have to catch myself. For instance, we went to a movie last night and there was a Boston restaurant (Aquitaine) that we ate at on his recommendation just this past year - and I almost called to tell him! Just about anything that has to do with cooking or eating reminds me of him...

We had some really good times growing up together and we stayed in pretty close touch throughout our adult lives. He came to visit us in Princeton and Chapel Hill, and we went to see him in Boston. In the past 20 years, we both kept the road warm between Burlington and Raleigh. Now it is cold.

Frank had his share of disappointments in life. However, he had an exceptional knack for cultivating friendships with some really good people. He was so blessed to have so many loving, generous, and faithful friends in his life. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time and effort to write a little something here.

My heart is heavy when I think of Frank. My hope is that he has found peace at long last...

Kathi Lindstrom

January 22, 2011

During the last 14 months of his too-brief life, Frank was inundated with phone calls, cards, gifts, emails, texts, flowers -- and visitors of all ages from many locales. Most of these people, many who loved him most, have not placed an entry in his Guest Book. (It's difficult, understandable, and very different from signing a book at a funeral.)

Still, I can bear witness to the fact that the numbers of us who will remember, respect, and cherish Frank are legion. His grace under fire will never be forgotten. May he dwell in the house of the Lord forever, as the psalmist says. And one day, God willing, may the hole he has left in our hearts be healed when we meet again.

I miss you so... XOX

Lisa Charbonneau

January 22, 2011

I had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Frank while visiting his mother on two separate trips to Carolina. I especially remember what a wonderful cook he was when he prepared a huge oyster dinner for us. I was very impressed! He was a generous host and a terrific and witty tour guide. May Frank rest in peace with Our Lord.

Dottie and Paul Frontiero

January 10, 2011

We were so fortunate to renew our friendship with Frank this past year. Great Tuesday pasta dinners together at Mario's ... home made osso buco at our house. Yes, Frank loved to eat. How he managed the home made fruit tart while on oxygen those last few days, we'll never know. Earlier he gave the Porsche some good rides and even found our stash of pumpkin seeds. Frank wouldn't let troubled times get in the way of some very good times.

Rick Koobs

January 8, 2011

Very sad to hear about this. I had not seen Frank in very many years, but we knew each other in high school (he lived a couple of houses up the street from me, being the "new kid that had just moved to Raleigh. Most of us had just moved to Raleigh, in fact). We got to be good pals and hung out around the neighborhood a great deal. A great guy even then... definitely a cool guy.

Kathleen Spain Lindstrom

December 29, 2010

Frank, I forgot to tell you,

Yes, it's true: You were the absolutely most beautiful baby our mother and father ever had. And you grew up to be a very, very handsome grown man, both inside and out.

Thank you again for all the wonderful times we shared especially on Grosse Ile, in and out of trouble with our folks for minor infractions like falling in the canal. Even though you were younger than I, I always looked up to you.

And here I am, looking up to you again. When we played Mass, with the Necco wafers or the bread pressed from soda caps, we promised to pray for whichever one of us died first. I'm true to that promise. I just wish you hadn't jumped into the big canal first.

K. XOX

Peter Nelson

December 29, 2010

Frankie
Grab us a mooring on the Great Salt Pond, though Geoff might already be there. Larry, Todd and I will be there bye and bye, and “The Lads” will be sailing together once again. Love you.
Pete

Tomas V

December 28, 2010

Dear Frank, I will miss you. We have spent several great months in Prague in 1992 on that real estate project, you remember. I will miss our long talks, your good advices when being my first boss there. I will miss your jokes, your intelligence and everything from your great personality. I wish you a smooth way to your next mission. Your friend Tomas V. from Czech Republic

December 27, 2010

I met Frank this past year while we were both battling cancer at Rex. Our talks truly helped me as we waited for treatment. I am so sorry for your loss. I am happy that he is finally at peace.

Jennifer Phelps

December 27, 2010

I met Frank this past year as we both battled cancer at Rex. Our talks would really help me as we waited hours for our treatments. I am so sorry for your loss. I am happy that he is at peace. Jennifer Phelps

Good times. Brothers.

David Spain

December 26, 2010

I'll miss you, Frank and wish you smooth sailing on your journey. With love from David.

December 26, 2010

Frankie, mon frere,

Je t'aimerais pour toujours, pour toujours. Please enjoy a long-neck on the sands of heaven with Mom and Dad, and share hugs from me to all three of you. See you all one day soon.
XOX, K.

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