Obituary of Frank McFadden

Frank McFadden, a man devoted to his family, and rich in world experience, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington. He was 71 years old. Frank was born in Creeslough, a small village in County Donegal, Ireland. He was one of 12 children born to Denis and Grace McFadden. When Frank was ten years old, his family moved to England and he finished his education in London. One of the memorable moments during those years was witnessing Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation in 1953. His family would then spend three years in Glasgow, Scotland. At the age of 18 his family moved back to England and settled in Coventry. It was there that he met his future wife, Christine Mulrennan and they were married three years later. He owned his own construction company for many years in England. When the economy weakened in England, he and his family returned to his native Ireland, settling in the small town of Maynooth on the outskirts of Dublin. He and his brother owned a construction company in Dublin. During the recession in Ireland in 1987, Frank decided to follow his father’s dream and immigrate to the United States. He settled in Burlington, MA and worked for the Boston Housing Authority and the Cardinal Health Company. Frank was a man who was inquisitive, enjoyed history, music, and appreciated the world’s many cultures. He travelled all over Europe with his family, sometimes with a camper in tow. He loved exploring the history, architecture, and different ways of life. He visited castles, churches, historical sites, and art museums, and appreciated the beautiful scenery and sites all around the world. He was very proud to live in America and was extremely knowledgeable on its history and growth as a country. His children often joked that he was more knowledgeable than Google. His gift to his children was their opportunity to appreciate and experience all the world can offer. Frank was the loving husband of 50 years to his wife, Christine A. (Mulrennan) McFadden. He was the loving and proud father of Caroline of Somerville, Christina of Cambridge, Michael of Clinton and Denise of Somerville. He was the brother of Hugh and Charles McFadden, Margaret Connolly, Anne Murphy, Mary O’Toole, Grainne Muldoon, Jean Sullivan, Nora McKane, the late Patrick and Denis McFadden, and Kathleen Sarsfield. He was the adoring grandfather of Owen and Patrick McFadden and father-in-law of Carrie Griffith. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington on Saturday, March 23 at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Frank’s name may be donated to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.