FRANCIS E. MCINTIRE

     Francis Edward “Frank” McIntire, age 90, of Worcester, was born on October 12, 1924 in Winchester, Massachusetts, eldest child of Edward and Anna (Doherty) McIntire. He grew up in Wakefield and attended Malden Catholic High School, class of 1942. A member of the greatest generation, he enrolled in Norwich University, Northfield, VT, with the class of 1946. He was drafted into the Army in the spring of 1943. He transitioned to the Army Air Corps where he trained and qualified as a Navigator for the European Campaign but was redirected west to participate in the Pacific Campaign and was training in Arizona when WWII ended. He achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant, U. S. Army Air Corps. He was a lifelong aficionado of all things aviation and the United States Air Force. Upon mustering out of the service, he resumed his studies at Norwich where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1948, but with the class of 1946. He loved and supported Norwich University his entire life. He was also a 61 year member of the American Legion Post 63, Wakefield, MA, and a recognized member of the Sons of American Legion. He also frequently participated and contributed to the U.S. Air Force Academy organizations; and he is recognized through a brick at the National World War II Museum located in New Orleans.

Immediately upon graduation, he joined his family’s business, the McIntire Brass Works. They supplied a wide spectrum of firefighting nozzles and devices primarily made from brass. Many firehouses still have the original McIntire Brass Works sliding pole developed by his grandfather F. N. McIntire.

Frank met and married his wife of 63 years, the former Dorothy Ann Killian. They moved to central Massachusetts, ultimately Worcester, where Frank worked in sales providing hydraulic and pneumatic equipment to the many manufacturing concerns throughout the region. He later continued his sales career in real estate. He and Dorothy raised seven sons together: LtCol Francis E. McIntire Jr, USAF(ret) (Patricia); CAPT William K. McIntire, USNR(ret) (Claire); Laurence J. McIntire; LtCol Edward J. McIntire, USAFR(ret)(Lucy); Gregory B. McIntire (Illona); MAJ Theodore B. McIntire USAF(ret); and CAPT Andrew R. McIntire, Harbor Pilot in the Port of Charleston (Kimberly).

In addition to his wife Dorothy, their sons and daughters-in-law, Frank is survived by 20 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Frank was predeceased by a sister, Mary, and a brother, Gerard, and one great grandchild, Emmanuelle. Frank passed peacefully from this earth on March 7, 2015.

Calling Hours for Mr. McIntire will be held on Friday, March 13, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. His Funeral will be held on Saturday, March 14, from the funeral home with a procession to church for a Mass at 10 a.m., in Immaculate Conception Church, 353 Grove Street, Worcester. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory be made to the Nursing Program at Norwich University, 158 Harmon Drive, Northfield, VT 05663, or to your choice of charity.