Frank Pickering, 77, retired aircraft engineer, designer

"He had a really strong love of the sea," said his son, Larry of Danvers. "He liked boating, whether it was just driving around or salt-water fishing. That never left him, he had a passion for that right up until the end."

Mr. Pickering died March 3 at Salem Hospital due to complications of esophageal cancer. He was 77.

"He was a very humble man who never forgot where he came from," his son said. "He never forgot his roots."

Born in Stonington, Maine, Mr. Pickering grew up on nearby Deer Isle, where he developed a love of the outdoors. As a boy, he learned to hunt and fish as a matter of necessity.

"That was kind of a way of life for them growing up," His son said. "His father would go out into the woods and shoot a rabbit or whatever. It was a very rustic beginning to him."

After graduating from Deer Isle High School in 1949, Mr. Pickering entered the University of Maine at Orono, where he majored in mechanical engineering and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. Following graduation in 1953, he married his childhood sweetheart, Clara, and was hired by General Electric in Lynn as an entry-level engineer designing aircraft engine compressors.

"I would say he was as good as anybody in the world as an engine design manager," said Ed Woll of Westwood, who worked with Mr. Pickering at GE for 26 years. "The products he worked on turned out to be all outstanding products. He was very thorough. He commanded a lot of respect from people on his team."

Bill Crawford of Topsfield, who worked with Mr. Pickering throughout his career at GE, said Mr. Pickering became known as "the saint" around the office for his generosity, good nature, and ability to remain calm under fire.

"In the aircraft engine development business at that time, there were lots of successes and lots of failures," Crawford said. "Some times were very difficult because of the number of failures. Frank had an excellent ability to get to the root of the problem and see it through to a solution."

Mr. Pickering became chief engineer of GE's aircraft engine engineering divisions in Lynn and Cincinnati, Ohio, creating systems that would be used in aircraft such as the de Havilland Buffalo, F/A-18 Hornet, the S-3 Viking, and many other types of military and commercial aircraft, Crawford said.

Mr. Pickering remained a dedicated supporter of his alma mater and the Sigma Chi fraternity. He followed the university's hockey team, assisted his fraternity in establishing a drug-free policy, and established a scholarship for students from Deer Isle to attend the University of Maine, his son said.

A Red Sox fan, Mr. Pickering and his son often watched games together.

Mr. Pickering received several awards for his contributions to the design of aircraft engines, including the Distinguished Engineering Award from the University of Maine and GE's Donald F. "Truly" Warner Award, given for engineering excellence in its aviation division. He was also inducted into the GE Aircraft Engine Propulsion Hall of Fame and the National Academy of Engineering.

Retiring in 1992, Mr. Pickering dedicated his time to his wife and family, as well as his outdoor pursuits.

"When he retired, the nation lost a great guy because of his competency," Woll said. "Fellows of his ability are hard to come by, but even after retirement, his advice was still sought."

In retirement, Mr. Pickering would often go to Pope's Landing Marine in Danvers to take his boat out or sit on the dock telling stories, said marina owner Tom Cargill, who knew him for more than 30 years.

"He was very entertaining and bright in a sort of Mark Twain-ish way, an Americana guy," said Cargill, , a Boxford resident. "He told stories about growing up in the woods in Maine. He was very understated. Just talking to him you would never know about his engineering accomplishments."

In addition to his wife of 55 years and his son, Mr. Pickering leaves a daughter, Diane Belanger of Danvers, and five grandchildren.

Funeral services have been held.