Frank Sousa Santos, Jr.
Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather
LOWELL Frank Sousa Santos, Jr., 84, was born November 30, 1930 to Mary and Frank Santos, Sr. He peacefully passed on February 25, 2015.
As luck would have it he was drafted into the Korean War where he served with the United States Army for two years. While serving, he was awarded a Purple Heart, Three Bronze Service Stars, a Korean Service Medal, and a United Nations Service Medal.
In 1955, he married Doris Surprenant and they lived their entire lives in the same family home in Lowell. They had two children, Christina and Christopher. As their Dad, he tirelessly supported, encouraged, and tolerated every extracurricular activity, school project, escapade, whim, and unsavory endeavor that kids put their parents through. He would smile remembering Tina was the one in trouble and Chris was the good one.
Frank and Doris would have celebrated their Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary this coming June 12. Not only was she his constant companion, assistant, and beloved partner, in his final years, she grew into a caregiver to be reckoned with providing him with compassion and care that was second to none.
Frank spent many summers with his family having his toes in the sand at the Roseville Cottages in Truro, Massachusetts. It was there that he liked nothing better than to show off his latest culinary creation and share meals with his summer acquaintances' who became lifelong friends. Their lively parties at the Cape provided many years of happy times and memories.
He spent his entire professional career as a draftsman at Wang Laboratories.
Upon retiring at an early age he became the unofficial chauffeur for his two oldest granddaughters, Erin and Morgan, making more trips than could be counted back and forth to the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro. His granddaughter, Hadley always knew her Papa would be her biggest fan at her pole-vaulting track meets. And Christopher, his only grandson, could always count on Papa to be in the crowd at soccer and baseball games and any track event.
His later years were filled with many Veteran-related activities including meetings, parades, fund raising and socializing. The many clubs he belonged to include the American Legion Club 100, Franco Americans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veteran's, the Korean War Veterans, Lowell Senior Center, Salvation Army, Purple Heart Association, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Besides his wife, children, and grandchildren, Frank felt truly blessed with his two great granddaughters, Avery and Eloise of Salt Lake City, Utah. He is also survived by his daughter in law, Celeste Santos, who was more like a daughter who has been part of his family for over thirty years. He leaves many nieces and nephews who will miss their 'Uncle Frank'. Oh, and Tina's longtime parter, Stephen Dionne.
Frank was predeceased by his sister, Mary and brother, Augustus.
To honor his service as a proud American who selflessly served his country, the family requests donations be made in his name to the Korean War Veterans Assoc., c/o Polish American Club, 201 Coburn St., Lowell MA 01850,in lieu of flowers.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 2 UNTIL 6 P.M. ON SUNDAY, MARCH 1. ON MONDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 9 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH, 893 CENTRAL ST., LOWELL, AT 10 A.M.. BURIAL IN ST. PATRICK CEMETERY. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM
