'Voice of the Clippers' Dies at 78

Duane F. Frank, age 78 of Greenland, NH, passed away Sunday, February 9, at the Portsmouth Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Born July 13, 1935 in West Valley, NY, he was a 1953 graduate of West Valley Central School and joined the US Marines, serving from 1954 thru 1962. It was then, while assigned to the Naval Prison at the Portsmouth Shipyard, that he met his future wife, Sandra (Ricker) Frank. They married in 1956 and made their home in Portsmouth. After being discharged, he became a letter carrier for the US Postal Service, and ultimately obtained the position Assistant Post Master in Newmarket. Upon retirement in 1990, he became a bailiff with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, where he remained until 2009.

Duane was known affectionately throughout the Seacoast and State as “The Voice of the Clippers”. He was the public address announcer for Portsmouth High sports, including boys and girls basketball, track, and football, for over 30 years. Duane also announced numerous state basketball championships in both Class I and Class L for the NHIAA. He was a coach and umpire for the Portsmouth American Little League and the Portsmouth Babe Ruth. He held the position of Little League District 2 Administrator for two terms. He was also the Sports Director for WBBX radio in Portsmouth which included play by play of Clipper basketball and football games. In 2009, Duane was the recipient of the prestigious Carl Lundholm Award, presented by the Manchester Union Leader, for his many years of service to youth athletics in the State.

Besides his wife, Duane is survived by his 4 children; Duane Jr and wife Debra of Portsmouth, Dee Dee Symington and husband John of Dover, Darryl and wife Kimberly of South Berwick, Maine, and Shelley Vetter and husband Chris of Hampton. He has 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Ivan, John, Larry, Doug, Gary and Dale and sisters Patricia and Carol. He was predeceased by his parents Ivan and Lora, and a sister, Phyllis.

Memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, February 14, 2014 at the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home-Buckminster Chapel, 84 Broad Street, Portsmouth, NH. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the Portsmouth High School Gymnasium, 50 Andrew Jarvis Drive, Portsmouth, NH. Family flowers only. Memorial contributions may be made to The Duane Frank Scholarship Fund, c/o Portsmouth High School, Attention: Marty Rahn, 50 Andrew Jarvis Drive, Portsmouth, NH 03801.