Frank Finly Fife, Sr., 68, of Heathsville, Virginia passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 26, 2022, surrounded by family. Frank was the son of the late Leonard Preston Fife and the late Geneva Stewart Grubbs. Frank was born in Indiana, grew up in his mother’s native Harlan County, Kentucky and then made his way to Virginia, where he has lived for the past 45 years. He was employed as a boat builder, first with the Butler Railway Company and then later branched out on his own in Reedville.

Behind Frank’s gruff exterior was a genuinely kind and generous guy. He loved to help others, especially with their boats. Frank worked hard and he took tremendous pleasure from his craft. He loved being near the water. Frank enjoyed many long friendships that had their origin in his work on peoples’ boats and these friends from the boating world will miss him.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Frank F. Lintz (Brenda) and Roberta Lintz Cole; his special friend Pam Estreet; his stepfather Carl Grubbs; his brothers: Raymond Lee Fife (Dinah), Freddy Dean Fife (Cynthia), and Jerry Fife; his sister Carolyn Grubbs; his grandchildren: Travis Lintz, Emet Lintz, Melvin Carl Cole, and Allison Renee Cole; several great-grandchildren; and very many beloved nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Wade Skidmore; and his sister-in-law Virginia Fife.

A memorial service to celebrate Frank’s life will be held at a date that will be announced in the near future. In lieu of flowers any help towards Frank’s funeral expenses would be deeply appreciated. They may be sent to Welch Funeral Home, 10300 Richmond Road, Warsaw, VA 22572.

This obituary is a courtesy to the family of Frank Finly Fife, Sr by the Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home of Harlan .