Dr. Frank J. Rice

Dr. Frank J. Rice, age 90, of Southport, beloved husband of the late Kathleen Mary Rice, passed away peacefully Friday, October 31, 2014 at St. Vincent's Medical Center with his loving family by his side. Born in Putnam, CT the son of the late John and Lillian Rice, he had been a Fairfield resident for the last 53 years. Dr. Rice served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 5th Fighter Command during World War II which included serving with the occupation troops in Japan. He later served six years in the Army reserves. Dr. Rice received his Bachelor's degree from Colorado A&M, a Masters in from the University of Wyoming and his PhD from the University of Missouri. Dr. Rice was professor emeritus of Biology at Fairfield University where he taught for 35 years. An active member of the community, Dr. Rice served of the Fairfield RTM from 1963-1969. He served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Bridgeport Transit District from 1972-1980 where he also served on the Ethics Committee, Connecticut Transportation Authority, member of the CT 4-H Development Fund, a member of the Fairfield Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission, and was the author of a guide to Fairfield's walking and hiking trails. Dr. Rice was also a cub master and scoutmaster for Pack 94 and Troop 94. Dr. Rice received the State of CT 4-H Alumni Award, Holy Family Guild Award from the Diocese of Bridgeport, Fairfielder of the Year in 2009 and the 2009 Strong Community Builder Award from the Fairfield YMCA. In 2014 Dr. Rice was honored as Educator of the year by the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice (CAPP). He was personally recognized by the last three Popes for his achievement in the field of natural family planning. Dr. Rice was a 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. Just recently the Salt Marsh Trail in Fairfield was named in his honor in recognition for his hard work in achieving a wheelchair accessible trail in Fairfield. Survivors include his seven beloved children and their families, Marilyn Rice of Southport, Andy Rice and his wife Kathy of Cheshire and their children Kristina, Melanie and Rebecca, Janet DiGiovanni and her husband Mike and their children, Bryan and Deanna, William Rice of Bridgeport, Thomas Rice and his wife Deborah of Wallingford, Cassie Brown of Danbury and her children Mariel Walters and her husband Lance and their children, Teaghan and Payton, Michaela Morris and her husband David, Kathleen and Daniel Brown, David Rice and his wife Suzanne of Stamford and their children, Kyle and Phillip. In addition to his wife he was predeceased by a son-in-law, David Brown; two brothers, John and James Rice, and a sister, Mary Lewis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. meeting directly at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1719 Post Road, Fairfield. Interment with military honors will follow in Willowbrook Cemetery, Westport. Friends may call Tuesday from 3-8 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Special Olympics of CT, 2666 State Street, Suite 1, Hamden, CT 06517 or to the Fairfield Senior Center Association, 100 Mona Terrace, Fairfield, CT 06824. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com