Frank Hall Washburn Iii

HUBBARDSTON – Frank H. Washburn, III, 85, of Hubbardston died peacefully in the presence of his loving family on Friday, April 5, 2013, after an illness. Born in Holden, Frank was the son of Frank H. and Dora E. (Veitch) Washburn and lived over 60 years in Hubbardston.

Frank graduated from Commerce High School and Worcester Trade High School in Worcester. On April 18, 1944, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Navy and began a distinguished career in military service which spanned 35 years and two wars. During World War II he was a gunner aboard the destroyer escort USS Damon M. Cummings, which was awarded the Bronze Star for action against the enemy during the Okinawan Campaign. During the Korean Conflict, Frank worked for the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon, where he met and fell in love with his future wife, Frances Rebecca Hughes.

Frank continued his education graduating from the Institute of Industrial Relations at Holy Cross and the National Guard Institute at Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1978, Frank was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Massachusetts Humanitarian Service Ribbon and Massachusetts Emergency Service Ribbon for his outstanding performance of duty in the National Guard’s mission of evacuating stranded motorists during the “Blizzard of 78”. He retired from the U.S. Army on April 15, 1988 as a full-time member of the Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 26th Supply and Transport, a Battalion of the 26th Infantry Division and the Mass. Army National Guard.

Frank belonged to the New England Native American Institute in Worcester County. He was a founding member of the Asnacomet Pond Association, serving as president and director on multiple occasions. He will be remembered as a strong positive force in the protection and preservation of Comet Pond and he will be sorely missed. He loved salt water fishing, camping and boating. He was a classic car enthusiast and a member of the Worcester County Model A Club. He especially enjoyed hunting and was proud of raising Beagles which he used when hunting rabbits.

His beloved wife of 57 years, Frances Rebecca (Hughes) Washburn, died in 2006. He is survived and will be sadly missed by his daughter, Cynthia Washburn-Doane and her husband Alfred of Hubbardston; a granddaughter, Caroline W. Doane of Hubbardston; a sister, Doris Johnston of Worcester; nephews, Bruce Johnston and his wife Suzanne, Jay Johnston and his wife Michelle and David Bracher; his devoted life-long friend, Nori Byrnes and his wife Bobbie; a special niece and nephew, Billy and Rachel Anderson; and several cousins, great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Rebecca C. Doane, who died in 2004 and his sister, Elaine Bracher.

Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 11, in the First Parish Unitarian Church on the Common, 2 Main Street, Hubbardston. Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery, Hubbardston. Donations may be made to the Rebecca C. Doane Scholarship Fund, c/o G.F.A. Credit Union, Attn: Hubbardston Branch, P.O. Box 468, Gardner, MA 01440. To share a memory or offer a condolence, Please sign the guestbook at the bottom of this page.