Dr. Francis R. Gouin

Francis R. “Frank” Gouin, Ph. D., 80, of Deale, MD, passed away peacefully with family at his side, on Thursday, August 2, 2018, after a short illness, at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, MD. A retired Professor Emeritus of the University of Maryland, he was known internationally as a plant physiologist, and locally as “The Bay Gardener” writing for the Bay Weekly newspaper, as well as the author of Enough Said-Gardening Through the Seasons. He was born in Laconia, NH, on June 3, 1938, to Romeo J. and Theresa [Beaudoin] Gouin. Frank graduated Laconia High School in 1956, the Thompson School of Agriculture at University of New Hampshire in 1958, and received his Bachelor of Science in 1962 from the University of New Hampshire, where he met his wife of 56 years, Clara Olesniewicz. He received his Masters of Science in 1965, and PhD in 1969, from the University of Maryland in College Park, MD, where he resided until moving to Deale, MD, in 1990. Dr. Gouin taught horticulture, conducted innovative research to benefit the nursery industry, published and lectured extensively, and covered the state as the Cooperative Extension Service specialist for the ornamental plant and Christmas tree growers, nurserymen and landscape contractors. A pioneer researcher in the area of utilizing composted materials for agricultural purposes, he started the International School of Composting Science, and also established the Master Gardeners Program in Maryland. Among many accolades, he received the L. C. Chadwick Award as an Exceptional Educator from the American Association of Nurserymen, and the Norman J. Coleman Award for Horticultural Progress Through Research. Dr. Gouin retired as Chair of the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Depart of University of Maryland in 1995, then consulted for landscape design and contracting firms, was the president and announcer for the South County Concert Association for 15 years, and was an active member of the Lothian Ruritan Club—known for his “Burger Burns and spaghetti dinners to raise scholarship funds. In recent months, he was involved in testing new soil amendment “Bloom” produced by the Blue Plains Treatment Plant in Washington. In Deale, MD, he operated “Upakrik Farm” growing peaches, Christmas trees and greenery for local Farmers’ Markets. Frank enjoyed camping with his family, canoeing and traveling with his wife. Hobbies included woodworking, making musical instruments, a cedar canoe, kayak, and “shellback” dinghy, as well as restoring a sailboat, three vintage tractors and a Model A Ford. He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife Clara of Deale, daughter Cristina “Tina” Gouin of Tracey’s Landing, and Bonnie McCrackin and her husband Craig of Shady Side, MD, as well as granddaughters Angelina and Alora Delabrer, and step-granddaughter Maddie McCrackin. He is also survived by his brother Maurice “Mo” Gouin and his wife Helene of Meredith, NH, nephews Norman Gouin (Cate Bourne) of Laconia, NH and Paul Gouin (Rachel) of Roswell, GA, his aunt Rachel Girard of W. Boylston, MA, grand-nephews John-Paul and Christopher Gouin, several cousins, and many friends. Visitation will be Sunday, August 12, from 5 to 8 pm at Lee Funeral Home Calvert, 8200 Jennifer Lane, Owings, MD 20736. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 13, at 10 am at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 8816 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach, MD 20714, followed by interment at Jesus the Good Shepherd Cemetery, 1601 W. Mt. Harmony Road, Owings, MD 20736. Reception to follow. Memorial contributions for plant science and landscape architecture students may be made to the: Francis R. and Clara L. Gouin Scholarship, Office of Gift Acceptance, Riggs Alumni Center, College Park, MD 20742. Check made to: “UMCP” for Trust Fund #0409 ~ or ~ http://giving.umd.edu/giving/fund.php?name=francis-r-gouin-undergraduate-horticulture-research-fund To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dr. Francis R. Gouin please visit our Sympathy Store.