Francis Leo Moore

Francis Leo Moore, 86, of Orlando, Florida, passed away Saturday April 18, 2015, surrounded by his loved ones. Frank Moore was born in Trescott Maine on September 28, 1928 to Genevieve and Albert Moore. Frank always commented that but for a few miles, he would have been Canadian. Frank moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts at a young age, where he loved to skate on frozen ponds and go clamming as a child. He and his brothers Albert, Daniel and Robert, sisters Marion, Virginia and Patricia were raised by Dorothy Moore in Gloucester.

Frank's first career was in the Army which he joined at just 17 years old in 1945. He was a medic and was first stationed in Bordeaux, France. He next served in the Korean War and in 1957, he was transferred to Ft. Brook, Puerto Rico, an island which he truly loved and had many fond memories. In Puerto Rico, Frank married Mary Moore, whom he spent the final 53 years of his life with.

After Puerto Rico, Frank was assigned briefly to Fort Benning, Georgia and then to Walter Reid Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Frank and Mary took residence in Silver Springs, Maryland. Their home was always open to young women who came to work in Washington D.C. who saw him as a father figure and became life-long friends of the family. Two of these ladies were married in the Moore house and another became godmother to Frank and Mary's daughter, Myra.

Frank's next post was in Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam. He was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division "Tropic Lightening" which fought the North Vietnamese Army on and around Nui Ba Den. The top and bottom of the mountain was controlled by the 25th Infantry, but the NVA operated in the middle using networks of tunnels. While in Tay Ninh, Frank was awarded the Bronze Star for Heroism and two Purple Hearts, though wounded many other times retrieving and tending to downed soldiers from the battlefield.

After Vietnam, Frank returned to Walter Reed where he served as medical support liaison to foreign dignitaries and coordinated services for official and state ceremonial functions. He achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and earned the Legion of Merit, the second-highest peacetime medal, before retiring in 1973.

Frank Moore moved to Orlando, Florida, and became a realtor. Many times his out of town clients stayed at the Moore residence. Many life-long friends started out as clients. The household was also always open to nieces and nephews, friends and relatives who stayed for extended periods of time.

His last occupation was a mail carrier for the US Post Office from which he retired in 1990. He delivered mail in the Parramore district on foot, walking many miles daily and befriended all with a warm smile and kindness.

Francis Leo Moore lives on in the hearts and memories of his wife Mary Moore, sons Patrick Moore and his wife Randi of NJ., Albert Moore and his wife Chris of Va.; daughters Myra Moore Stephens and her husband Carl of Fl., Carol Moore of Cal., Sophie Moore Steeno and her husband Thomas of Cal.; sisters Marion Thomas and her husband Robert of Me., Virginia Dagley and her husband Will of Me, Patricia Cook and her husband Arthur of NY.; brother Albert Moore and his wife Carol of Fl.; and eleven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers Daniel Moore and Robert Moore of Mass.; son Frankie Moore of Cal.

A viewing will be held Friday April 24, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, at Baldwin-Fairchild, 7520 Aloma Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32792. Services will be held Saturday April 25, 2015 at 10:00 AM at the same location.

Arrangements under the direction of Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, WINTER PARK, FL.