Frank Harper Poole

Frank Harper Poole, 82, passed into the next life January 13, 2024, at Westview Nursing Home following many long illnesses. He knew grace in his passing, supported by the presence and love of his family, and buoyed by his faith. Born in Elizabeth, NJ to Frank Baldwin and Edna Harper Poole, Frank grew up in Union with his brother Thomas, and met his first wife, Carol (née Apgar) on the shores of Ocean Beach where he worked as a lifeguard. He was a proud graduate of Amherst College (’63). He received his calling to ministry on that campus and subsequently attended Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div, ’66), becoming an ordained Presbyterian minister. Frank’s service to community through his faith began with parish ministries in Elizabeth, NJ, Fairmount, NJ, Scottsville, NY, and Rockville, MD. He returned to study at Loyola University and embarked upon a career in pastoral psychotherapy which brought him and his family to Allentown, PA, and then to Rhode Island in 1986, when he began to direct Interfaith Counseling Center in Providence. He later returned to working within the organization of the PC USA, serving in interim directions of the Presbytery of Southern New England, San Francisco Presbytery, Presbytery of Utica, and of the Synod of the Northeast. He returned to RI and settled in West Greenwich with his wife, Margaret, with whom he began a pastoral counseling practice in North Kingstown, Windows of Awareness. A swimmer, sailor and hiker, Frank enjoyed all kinds of physical activity and sport, even as a spectator. He imprinted in his children a love and respect of nature, and a desire to observe and preserve the Earth’s beauty. He was an avid reader of history, both of the world in macro and of the personal in micro with his pursuit of family genealogy. He loved working in his flower garden, tending to roses, planting trees, and building rock walls. He and Margaret enjoyed traveling together, collecting stories, memories, and other treasures. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Webb (née Moore), her daughters Diana (George) and Laura (Atle) as well as her grandchildren and a great-grandchild. He also is survived by his children: Rebecca in Ohio, Sarah (Antoine) in Montréal, and Ethan (Rebecca) in Natick; as well as his brother, Thomas (Janice) in Arizona. A Celebration of Frank’s Life will be held on Saturday July 27th at 11:00 a.m. in the Winfield & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 571 West Greenville Road, Scituate, RI. Visitation will be held one hour prior starting at 10:00 a.m. Frank’s family is grateful for the compassion and care offered at the end of his life, by Hope Health and the myriad of caregivers that sought to support his health and well-being. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Thompson Lake Environmental Association: https://thompsonlake.org/membership/memorial-giving/. Frank frequently would offer a Benediction found in the Book of Common Prayer based on Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, which would serve as the last words he would speak to the congregation. We repeat them here to both honor his memory and reflect his desire for all of us make a better world with our lives: Go out into the world in peace. Have courage. Hold onto what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted. Support the weak. Help the suffering. Honor all persons. And may the love of God remain with you always. Go in peace. Amen.