Dr. Frank W. Sheldon, 80, died peacefully on Oct. 3, 2026.

Frank was born on Sept. 28, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Warner Sheldon and Margaret McKay Sheldon. 

Growing up, Frank spent summers with his family on Mount Desert Island, Maine, where his father served as director of the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory in the 1950s. These summers instilled in Frank both a deep love of science and a deep love of Maine. After graduating from college at St. Lawrence University in 1969 and medical school at McGill University in 1974, Frank established his family medicine practice in Wiscasset and Bath, serving families throughout midcoast Maine. 

Frank will be remembered for his curiosity and his child-like sense of fun. He loved to tinker, to take things apart, and to start do-it-yourself projects. An excellent cook and adventurous eater, Frank introduced his children and their friends to a wide variety of global cuisines while teaching them to savor and delight in the pleasures of food. Frank loved to sail and for many years had his J/24, Fancy, at the Wiscasset Yacht Club. An animal lover, Frank had pets throughout his life and is survived by his dog, Blueberry.  

Frank was married to Barbara Wessinger (deceased) and later to Cynthia Williams. In his later years, Frank lived with his long-term partner, Belva Horn, splitting their time between Wiscasset, Maine; Freeport, Maine; Deer Isle, Maine; Montreal, Canada; and Apollo Beach, Florida. 

In addition to his parents, Frank was predeceased by his older sister Margo Ross of Pitlochry, Scotland. 

Frank is survived by his long-term partner, Belva Horn; his three children, Maxwell Sheldon, Winthrop Sheldon, and Abigail Sheldon Jeck; his eight grandchildren, Wyatt Sheldon, Sage Sheldon, Reed Sheldon, Warner Sheldon, Adelaide Sheldon, Georgina Sheldon, Linus Jeck and Peter Jeck; his siblings, Wendy Wood, Lura Clark, and W. Richard Sheldon; and many nieces and nephews. 

A funeral service will be held on Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 12 Hodge Street, Wiscasset.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, 159 Old Bar Harbor Road, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609.