Francis Borden Mace

SALISBURY — Francis Borden Mace, born July 23, 1920, in Beaufort, N.C., to William Arendell Mace and Maybelle Kaiser Carrow, died peacefully on Nov. 21, 2014, at his cottage at Noble Horizons at the age of 94.

An engaging personality with a kind and generous heart, he enjoyed life and helping others, and was a great friend and mentor to many who knew him.

Mr. Mace produced thousands of films, many of them for the military, in a career spanning decades. Following his graduation from the University of North Carolina in 1941 and his naval service in World War II, he served as the chief executive officer for producer Louis de Rochemont’s four affiliated film and TV companies for nearly 30 years. During this time Mace oversaw the production of groundbreaking films such as “Lost Boundaries” (1949), “Martin Luther” (1953), “Cinerama Holiday” (1955) and “Windjammer” (1958), in addition to hundreds of documentary and educational films. He was also involved in the production and story development of the 1954 animated adaptation of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.” His last Hollywood project was John Ehle’s “The Journey of August King” in 1995.

A huge proponent of education, Mace, along with his friend John Ehle, was instrumental in founding the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) in 1980, serving as the school’s first principal and deputy director. 

The school’s library is named after Mace and his late wife, Grace Breslin.

Following his success with NCSSM, he was asked to advise in the founding of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in 1986, serving as interim director in its first year, and again came out of retirement in 1991 to help establish the School of Filmmaking at the North Carolina School of the Arts.

His final project, completed just weeks ago, was an introduction to the book, “North Carolina’s Historic Beaufort: A Unique Coastal Village Preserved” (January 2015) by Mary Faith Warshaw. Called “Fond Memories of Life in Beaufort,” in it he beautifully describes his childhood and family life growing up in the seaside village that was so dear to him, and where many of his beloved relatives and friends still reside.

He was a true lover of the arts, especially film and theater. At 92 he took up painting as a form of creative expression, painting colorful works that incorporated unusual objects and media.

When asked recently what he wanted people to know about his life, he responded: “That I lived. Not always wisely but I enjoyed taking risks and being adventuresome and doing the unusual.” He made an indelible mark on those who knew him, and he will be greatly missed.

Mr. Mace was predeceased by his wife, Grace Breslin Wingerter, and later by his longtime love, Gloria Krasnow Liebenson. 

He is survived by his sister, Mary Elizabeth (Mace) Johnson and her husband, James, of North Carolina; several nieces and nephews, including Nancy Kahan and Maura Wolf of Salisbury; and many loving friends.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Noble Horizons chapel on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception in the Wagner Learning Center. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Chore Service, P.O. Box 522, Lakeville, CT 06039; or the Noble Horizons Scholarship Fund, 17 Cobble Road, Salisbury, CT 06068.