Francis Moore

SUTTON - Francis "Frank" J. Moore, 89, passed away peacefully in his home on the morning of May 16, 2022 with his wife Patricia by his side.   While Frank battled a lengthy illness, he was able to maintain his wonderful smile, great sense of humor, and constant words of wisdom with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Frank is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Patricia “Pat” H. Moore.   Frank is predeceased by his son Francis J. Moore Jr and his parents Alice and Maurice Moore.   He leaves eight children, Michael Moore and his wife Patricia, Kevin Moore and his wife Kathleen, Kathleen Lutz, Thomas Moore, John Moore and his wife Patricia, Timothy Moore and his wife Jacqueline, Terence Moore and his wife Michelle, and Christopher Moore.   Frank is also survived by seventeen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.   Frank is also survived by his two sisters Alice Palma (husband Phillip deceased), Maureen Jeppesen and husband Charles, and his two brothers Maurice (Bud) Moore and wife Bonnie, and Thomas Moore and wife Maureen.

Frank was born in Waterbury, CT to parents Alice and Maurice “Red” Moore, and he was the oldest of five children.  While Frank was growing up in Milford, CT he was an avid athlete during his younger years and excelled in baseball and basketball, and became a devout NY Yankees, NY Knicks, and NY Giants fan, until he moved to Walpole, MA in 1965.  Frank was a US Army Military Police Officer, stationed in Germany from March 1953 through February 1955.   Frank was proud of his service in Europe during and after the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe after WWII, and he shared many fascinating stories of his time when in uniform and when not in uniform.

Frank married the love of his life, Patricia Hyl of Greenwich, CT in December 1956.   Frank and Pat then embarked on their goal to have twelve children.   Under the watchful eye of God, Frank and Pat fell short of their lofty goal, however the first six children (including their only daughter Kathleen) were born in Bridgeport, CT while living in Milford, CT and Monroe, CT.  In 1965, Frank and Pat moved their young family to Walpole, MA, at which point the final three young lads were born in Norwood, MA over the following years.  During their empty nest years, Frank and Pat moved to Sutton, MA in 1999 and have remained in the same home since.

While Frank had a backup plan to become a police officer, his entrepreneurial spirit pointed him to the business world, where he ultimately found a passion for the Hydraulics and Pneumatics industry, starting out as an entry level trainee and then progressing upward to an Applications Engineer, Salesman, and eventual Executive positions.  Frank was regarded as an industry expert, which was complimented by his outgoing demeaner and ability to explain technical topics in plain English.  Frank’s work associates over the years affectionately nicknamed him the ‘Silver Fox’, and this name stuck with him throughout his career.  Most of his children worked part time during school vacations and summers in his business, and son John followed in his footsteps where he found a career in the same industry.

Frank’s hobbies and pastimes evolved around his children and their activities.   Frank started coaching baseball while Mike and Kevin were in Little League and continued coaching until the last son Christopher stopped playing organized ball.   Despite Frank’s busy work schedule, he somehow found time to attend almost every game of each kid, many of which were on different ball fields on the same day.   As a MA resident, Frank converted from the NY sports teams to the Boston sports teams and was blessed with many championship celebrations over the years, much to the displeasure of his brothers and sisters who have remained NY fans.   Clearly, the majority of Frank and Pat’s leisure time was spent with their kids, their grandkids, and their great grandkids, and they absolutely loved the massive family gatherings.   Additionally, Frank and Pat spent many years traveling the US in their RV and enjoyed long cross-country trips as well as short local trips within New England.   Frank was always proud of his Irish heritage and his kids grew up listening to The Irish Rovers songs and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day every year.    As Frank entered retirement, the annual Moore Invitational Golf Tournament was enjoyed by Frank along with his sons, brothers, cousins, friends, and occasional grand child at a variety of golf destinations around New England.

Frank and Pat were active members of the Walpole community for 34 years and the Sutton community for 23 years.   While in these communities they have established many lifelong friendships and have been actively involved in the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Walpole, MA where Frank was a Eucharistic Minister for over 10 years, and more recently the St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Parish in Sutton, MA.

Visiting hours are scheduled for Wednesday May 25th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 Main Street, Millbury, MA.  Additionally, family and friends will celebrate Frank’s life with his Funeral Mass on Thursday May 26th, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Parish, 356 Boston Road in Sutton, MA.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in memory of Francis to either:

St. Mark’s Church, 356 Boston Road, Sutton, MA 01590 (memo: in memory of Francis J. Moore, Sr.) or on-line at https://saintmarksparish.org/giving OR

VNA Care, Fund Development Office, 120 Thomas Street, Worcester, MA 01608 (memo: in memory of Francis J. Moore, Sr. for Hospice) or on-line at  https://vnacarenetwork.ejoinme.org/VNACare