Francis Donal McDonough

Francis Donal McDonough died peacefully on Wednesday , July 13th, 2016 in Stoughton, MA surrounded by loved ones. Frank was born April 23, 1929 to Peter and Katherine Gaffrey McDonough in Queens, NY. After meeting at a parish Valentine's Day dance ("the prettiest girl I'd ever seen"), he and Margaret Mary Donovan, also of Queens, were married in April 1958. Their first home was in Brewster, NY where they raised six children and remained for over 40 years. In 1999 the two left Brewster for Cape Cod, and several years later settled in Palm Coast, FL, staying 12 years until their final move to Stoughton, MA to live with, and in the care of, their youngest daughter, Bernadette.

Educated as a nuclear physicist, he received his degree from Manhattan College and served as a US Navy officer during the Korean War as an instructor / supervisor on the Special Weapons Project in New Mexico. His subsequent employment in the nuclear testing field led to a diverse sales career spanning from nuclear medical equipment to his great passion: computers. Frank was in on the ground floor of home computer sales and by the early 80's was running his own business with his DOS-based PC and self-written programs. He was recruited by local businesses to computerize their operations and received a special commendation/award from the Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury, CT for the "outstanding programs he developed to streamline and increase the efficiency of" numerous departments within.

A man of great faith, he was deeply involved in his local parishes throughout his life. He was instrumental to the resurrection of the dormant St. Lawrence O'Toole council of the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight, and he was a member of the first group in the diocese to be ordained Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. He also served as lector and was firmly committed to the Pro-Life cause, attending many Washington, DC marches over the years.
Frank was a member of MENSA, as well as a skilled woodworker (making furniture for family members), but his greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his family, telling old stories, working outdoors, and on his many cars. His grandchildren fondly remember his never-ending supply of lemon drop candies, learning to play chess and reading with him.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, his children; Daniel and his wife Mary Jean of Portsmouth, RI, Maryellen Lent and her husband Gregory of Danbury, CT, Karen Dobbins and her husband Timothy of Pawling, NY, Jeanne D'Ottavio and her husband Michael of Brewster, NY, Eileen McDonough of Manhattan, NY, and Bernadette Richards and her husband Kirby of Stoughton, MA., fourteen grandchildren; Joseph, Gretchen, Sister Mary of the Word Incarnate, O.P., Felicity, Sean and Diane McDonough, Shannon Cohen, Alyssa and Tara D'Ottavio, Sean, Kyle, Alexander, Alanna and Declan Richards.
He was predeceased by his brother Vincent and his sister Imelda.

Visiting hours will be 4-8 PM on Monday, July 18th at Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Avenue, Brewster, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, July 19th at St. Lawrence O'Toole, 31 Prospect Street, Brewster, NY. Burial will follow at St. Lawrence O'Toole cemetery.
Donations in his name gratefully appreciated to the Monastery of the Mother of God, 1430 Riverdale Street, West Springfield, MA 01089, where his granddaughter, Mary, serves the Lord.