Jay - Frank Daniel Rier passed away peacefully at home on August 6, 2022. Frank was born on April 19, 1951 in Lubec, Maine to Julian Barney Rier and Rebecca Ann (Manchester) Rier. While growing up in Lubec, Frank enjoyed fishing, playing basketball, driving fast cars and playing bass guitar in a rock band. He began working with his father in various businesses from a young age, and also worked at the A&P grocery store in Lubec while in high school. Later, Frank joined Merchant Marine where he worked his way up to quartermaster on oil tankers. Between voyages, he renovated a large house in Lubec, and then quit the seaman’s life to open the Home Port Inn and Restaurant in 1983. Frank did the cooking at the Inn and was renowned throughout the area. After selling that business, he became a pioneer in aquaculture, raising salmon in Johnson’s Bay and shipping the fish from the processing plants he designed. Frank’s next business in Lubec was Rier Smoked Salmon company, where he produced high quality products for retail customers, national supermarket chains, and specialty stores. He served as a selectman in Lubec until his term and his career as a businessman were interrupted by having to battle cancer, beginning in 2001. In 2003 he and his family moved to Jay, Maine, where he resided until his death.

Frank was a multifaceted and multi-talented person. He was a resourceful entrepreneur who accomplished many projects besides the few listed above. A large part of his ambition was fueled by a desire to start businesses that would provide jobs for people in his hometown of Lubec. In his retirement, Frank loved listening to music, cooking for his family, reading, collecting books, writing poetry and telling stories. He will be greatly missed.

Frank was predeceased by his parents, brother Steven Rier, first wife Deborah Hartmus, and nephew Douglas Greenhalgh. Frank is survived by three sisters and one brother: Cathy Rier of Ellsworth and her children Nathan Hemmingway of Santa Rosa, California, Marianne Russell of El Paso, Texas, and Lynne Greenhalgh of Ellsworth; Edwin Rier and wife Lauren of Lubec; Janet Rier of Gorham and her son Adrian of Ellsworth; Carolyn (Rier) Lynch of Ellsworth, husband Kevin and their daughter Shauna. He is survived by his sister-in-law Kathleen Salko of Lubec and her daughters Tanya and Aimee. Frank is survived by his daughter from his first marriage, Erika Rier, her husband Joel Fleminger, and granddaughter Isadora Fleminger Rier, all of Portland, Oregon, and step-daughter Elizabeth Vidal of Norwich, Connecticut. He is survived by his second wife Maria (Rudolph) Rier of Jay, their three children: daughter Rachel Rier of Scarborough and her children Beatrix and Elliot; son Conrad Rier of Jay; and son Nicholas Rier and his girlfriend Brianna Pottle of Portland, Maine. He is also survived by many uncles, aunts, grand nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. A family gathering will be held to commemorate Frank’s life. However, anyone who wishes to is invited to make a donation to the American Cancer Society in his memory. Memories may be shared in his Book of Memories at www.wilesrc.com. Cremation care has been provided by the Wiles Remembrance Center of Jay.