Francis J. “Frank” Peters, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather died peacefully at Longhorn Village (Austin, TX ) on October 4, 2020, fittingly on the Feast Day of St. Francis. He was 95 years old.
Born in Brooklyn, NY to Harry and Catherine Peters, Frank was the youngest of five children and the only son. Selected for the V-12 Navy College Training Program, Frank was assigned to Union College in Schenectady, NY. He served as a Naval Ensign in WWII and then returned to college, graduating in 1947.
That same year, on a blind date, he met the love of his life, Julia McEvoy, and they married a year later. Following their marriage, the newlyweds moved to New Jersey to begin their family. They eventually settled in Mendham where they lived for more than 30 years and raised their eight children with much love, wisdom, and parental advice. Even while busy raising a family, Frank still found time to return to school and earn his master’s degree at NYU.
A devoted public servant with a tremendous capacity for work, over the years, Frank was a volunteer fireman (1960 – 1987), a little league baseball coach, an active member of St. Joseph’s Church, and president of the local Board of Education. He was elected for several terms to the Mendham Town Council, and also served as the Police Commissioner. In addition to his community activities, Frank took great pleasure in undertaking home improvement projects and landscaping his yard. He enjoyed fixing things and was good with his hands and often worked with his sons to get the job done.
Frank joined New Jersey Bell out of college and stayed within the AT&T Bell System his entire 45-year career. After 40 happy years in New Jersey, he accepted a position as Vice President of Human Resources at MCC and moved with Julie to Austin to start a new chapter in their lives.
A devout Catholic with a deep and abiding faith in God, Frank was an active member of St. Theresa’s Church and volunteered his time to support many charitable activities. In retirement, he enjoyed working on his golf game and, at the age of 82, hit his first hole-in-one. He continued to serve on the University Federal Credit Union board, eventually becoming a Board Member Emeritus.
Frank and Julie were positive, upbeat individuals who knew how to have fun, whether playing bridge, volunteering in the community, or hitting the dance floor, and they shared the company of many wonderful friends. Always eager to engage their minds, they enjoyed reading, exercising, traveling, and visiting their children and grandchildren wherever they lived.
Family was important to Frank. He and Julie hosted many reunions and vacations to ensure their growing family stayed connected. They traveled extensively in the US, Canada, Europe, Africa, and Asia, became Elderhostel members, and participated in many bike club touring trips. Through his travels, Frank became a connoisseur of fine wines and especially enjoyed a good glass of Pinot Noir.
In 2009, Frank and Julie were excited to be part of the original residents moving into Longhorn Village. He immediately immersed himself in his new community serving on committees and participating in social events and activities.
Married for 69 years to his beautiful wife Julie, who pre-deceased him in 2017, Frank was a man of great faith and enduring love for his family and friends. He will be deeply missed by his daughters Julianne and Meg, sons Chris and daughter-in-law Michelle, Brian and daughter-in-law Marianne, Kevin, Tim, Tony, Chip and daughter-in-law Sirikarn, twelve grandchildren, and nine – soon to be 10 – great-grandchildren.
Frank will always be remembered for his warm smile and way of making others feel appreciated and welcome. We are forever grateful for the outstanding support, care and friendship he received from everyone at Longhorn. We extend heartfelt thanks to family and friends as we mourn the loss of this special man who was such an integral part of all our lives.
Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charitable organization in Frank’s name. A family celebration of his life will be held in New Jersey in the coming months.