Frank E. Sherman, 98, a veteran of both world wars, former longtime resident of Port Washington, died on Oct. 8, 1999 at Gardens Court Nursing Home, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Born in Boston on Jan. 3, 1901, son of Francis E. and Mary Willey Sherman, he attended school in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, after moving there with his family at a young age.

At the age of 14, Mr. Sherman enlisted in the Canadian Army Overseas Expeditionary Force, patrolling the Atlantic cable at Sidney Mines, Cape Breton, NS. He was discharged after serving one year and five months when it was discovered he was underage. He worked for the next four months as an ammunition inspector. He re-enlisted in 1917 and served with the 36th Canadian Field Artillery in England and France during WWI. He led a team of mules hauling three wagons of ammunition through France and was in the Battle of Bourlon Wood.

Mr. Sherman re-enlisted in the US Navy in 1920, the same year he married Muriel Porter. He served for two years on various ships and was discharged in 1922. He moved to Port in 1922 and for many years was the vice president and later president of his father-in-law's business, M.M. Porter, Inc., builder of many fine homes in Port and Sands Point.

Mr. Sherman re-enlisted in the Navy in 1942 during WWII, serving in the 80th Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees) in the Asia-Pacific Theater. In March 1946, he went on inactive duty and retired from the Naval Reserve in 1966 with rank of chief warrant officer. In June 1999, the French government awarded him with the National Order of the Legion of Honor, its most distinguished military award, for his service to France in WWI.

After WWII, he became deputy superintendent and then superintendent of highways for the Town of North Hempstead. He moved to Florida following his retirement in 1964 and lived in Lake Worth for many years. After he retired, he traveled all over the US in his Winnebago, always stopping in Port to visit his friends.

A life member of the National Lion Club, Mr. Sherman reportedly was the oldest living Lions member nationwide. He was a 66-year member of the American Legion, the VFW of the US, a life member and past commander of Paumanok Masonic Lodge #855 in Port Washington, Grand Lodge F & AM New York 70 years plus member, a member of High Twelve International #316 in Lake Worth, the Palms West Community Church in Loxahatchee, FL, and a former member of the Methodist Church in Port.

He married Ethel George in 1960; she died in 1984. His first wife, the former Muriel Porter, died in 1980. He leaves his daughter Marilyn (John) Valeri of Lenox, MA; son Frank E. "Ted" Sherman Jr. of Marathon, FL; a stepdaughter Vivian George of Glen Cove; a stepson Gilbert George of Palm Beach Gardens; a sister E.I. "Peg" Woodman, 95, of Palm Beach Gardens; five grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held in Florida on Oct. 11 with a Navy Seabees Honor Guard; prayers offered by Rev. Wilkie; eulogy given by daughter Marilyn and granddaughter Genne M. Johnston; scriptures read by two great-granddaughters. American Legion and Masonic services. Burial will be at a later date at Nassau Knolls Cemetery. Mr. Sherman's eulogy started out: "A life spanning a century - what an incredible century - what an incredible life - 1901 to 1999! Frank E. Sherman remained a vital, active part of world and community events through his life."