1922 – 2016

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — John F. (Frank) Linehan, 94, formerly of Lewiston, died Tuesday, Aug. 16 in New Bedford, Mass.

He was born in Lewiston, son of the late Michael F. and Laura (Marcoux) Linehan. He was the husband of the late Helen (Danuser) Linehan. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1939 as a member of the National Honor Society. He also attended the U.S. Naval Academy for two years and then served in World War II in Europe as a U.S. Army paratrooper first lieutenant postwar. He served as an Army pilot in Korea. Following active duty, Frank served three years as an infantry captain in the Maine National Guard and graduated from Bates College, Class of 1951.

In 1951 he moved to Massachusetts to become general manager of the New Bedford Seafood Producers Association, then spent two years in Korea as a fisheries advisor for USAID. Frank then returned to New Bedford and became the first director of Harbor Development for the city. Subsequently, he served as operations manager of Frionor Corp., vice president and general manager of Maritime Terminal Inc. and then for 12 years was industry liaison officer for the National Marine Fisheries Services of NOAA. During his career he was involved in numerous fisheries organizations and conferences on regional, national and international levels.

Frank was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church, serving on the vestry, finance committee and as senior warden. He also served on the board of trustees of Fairhaven Savings Bank and the board of directors of Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, the United Way of Greater New Bedford and the Kiwanis Club. He was a member of the New Bedford Election Commission until 2005. Frank was a longtime member and past president of the New Bedford Port Society and had been an active member of Kiwanis and the Men’s Luncheon Club.

He is survived by sons, John F. Jr. of California and Michael F. (and his wife, Martha) of Natick, Mass.; grandsons, Matthew (and his wife, Heather) of Copake, N.Y. and Mark (and his wife, Amanda) of Malden, Mass.; great-grandchildren, Maceo, Louisa, Georgia and Cedric. He was also the father of the late Joan O’Neill (husband, Joseph T. of Florida.) He was predeceased by his siblings, Irene Sutton, Doris Laverdiere and Louise McKillop.

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