Frank Wayne Setchell, 69, died peacefully at Maine Medical Center on December 14, 2013.

He was born in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 5, 1944, the son of the late James and Alida (Parks) Setchell.

Frank grew up in Lemon Grove, Calif., and attended local schools there. After completing high school, he was accepted to the California State University. It was there that he would obtain both his bachelor's and one of his master’s degrees. During this time, he met the love of his life, Diane, started his family, and began his career with the County of Los Angeles.

After a family move to Maine, Frank worked at Bigelow Laboratory, a position he held for five years before moving on to Maine Yankee, where he worked for the next 15 years, and earned a master’s degree in business. When Maine Yankee closed, Frank was able to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a physician’s assistant.

To achieve this goal he went back to school at the University of New England full-time. Upon completion, his journey led him to Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta, where he worked in the emergency department for 12 years. The work in the emergency department was something he loved immensely, due in part to more than 20 years of experience volunteering for the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service.

He could think clearly on his feet and enjoyed the task of assessing a situation and making critical decisions that volunteering on the ambulance service required. He was one of the first members from the region to receive his paramedic training and was very proud of that accomplishment.

When not working he could be found with a good book or giving of his time to the ambulance service. It was this passion to help others. This trait made him a perfect fit working in the emergency room. As a selfless man, he wanted to do nothing more than to help the people around him. He certainly did that many times over.

He became involved with St. Columba’s Episcopal Church from the very beginning. He attended the founding meeting for the church, served as lay reader for many years and was the chairman of the building committee when the church was erected. Frank was an integral part of the church community and an important part of his life.

Spending time on the road with Diane in the RV with the motorcycles in tow was something Frank looked forward to every year. While on these trips, behind the camera usually, snapshots would be sent home with wonderful stories, full of tidbits and information. His greatest joy was being able to spend time with his family. Having the children and grandchildren at the house where he could spend quality time with them was something the entire family looked forward to.

He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all that were lucky enough to call him a friend.

He was predeceased by two half sisters.

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Diane Setchell of East Boothbay; son David Setchell and his wife Marie of Gardiner; daughter Mary Setchell-Pardue and her husband Steven Pardue of Oakland, Maine; grandchildren Ella Joan, Nora Lynn, Aidan Michael and Noah James; as well as many friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, on Emery Lane in Boothbay Harbor, with the Reverend William Wood officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can made to: Boothbay Regional Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 280, Boothbay, ME 04537; St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, 32 Emery Lane, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538; or Miles Memorial Hospital, 35 Miles Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543

You are invited to share your condolences, memories and photos with the Setchell family by visiting their Book of Memories page at www.hallfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons Harrington, and Hall in Boothbay.