Frank A. Rice

Frank Alexander Rice passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at his home.  He was born on Sept. 13, 1922, at his family home on MacGregor Road in Lincoln, Alcona County, MI., the 4th of seven children born to Mike and Blanche (MacNeill) Rice. He was raised on their dairy farm with three brothers and three sisters, who have all preceded him in death except his youngest widowed sister, Mrs. Anna B. Kelly of Troy, MI. Frank graduated from Harrisville High School in 1941, married Virginia Carol Mausolf of Alpena, MI,  in 1945 and shortly after was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1946, during World War II. Frank and Carol had four children, Karen Lee (& Harry) Porter of Fenton, MI; Mark Alan (& Margaret "Meg") Rice of Greenbush, MI; Rosalie Sue "RoSue" (& Dave) Gordon of Sterling Hts., MI; and Craig Rice of Harrisville, MI.They moved to Detroit in 1949 when Frank secured a Civil Service job with DSR, where he was employed as a diesel mechanic repairing buses for the city. In the 1950's Frank invented an air cleaner for construction equipment, showing he believed in a clean environment long before going green became popular. He was self-employed at Rice Filter, then became a Superintendent at Combustion Research. He later became involved in the invention, engineering, and manufacturing of infra-red radiant gas heaters and later barbeque grills at Detroit Radiant Products.After 38 years in Detroit, Frank and Carol moved back to their 40-acre farm in Harrisville in 1987 to enjoy their retirement. As a nature and animal lover, Frank enjoyed returning to his roots as a farmer, planting a garden every year and eating the fruits of his labor, making maple syrup, and making friends with the birds and animals like his pet deer, Fella.Frank is survived by his wife of 72 years, Carol, four children, 12 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.   Mr. Rice is at Gillies Funeral Home in Lincoln, where friends may call on Monday, April 30, 2018 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, with Rev. Lawrence Boks leading a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue Tuesday, May 1, 2018 from 10:00 until the Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at St. Anne Catholic Church in Harrisville. Rev. Robert Bissot will officiate.  Memorial Donations are suggested to the Alcona Humane Society or Hospice of Michigan.   To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frank A. Rice, please visit our flower store.