TEWKSBURY: Frank Howard Matthews, age 82, a resident of Tewksbury for the past 6 years, died Thursday, September 8, 2005 at the Tewksbury Hospital.
He was the husband of Phyllis (Hirth) Matthews, with whom he would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in November.
Born in Warrenton, Virginia on March 16, 1923, he was the son of the late Arron and Mary (Vowels) Matthews.
He was raised and educated in Warrenton, Virginia.
Mr. Matthews served during World War II in the U.S. Navy. He was awarded several decorations including the Good Conduct Medal, the American Area Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Following World War II, he re-enlisted in the Navy and served until being honorable discharged from active duty on May 15, 1953. Mr. Matthews continued his military service in the U.S. Naval Reserve and was honorably discharged on July 21, 1961, having earned the rank of Chief Hospital Corpsman.
Prior to his retirement in 1981, he was employed for 20 years as a physician’s assistant at the Federal Correctional Institute in Lompoc, California.
Mr. Matthews was a resident of Santa Maria, California until moving to Tewksbury in 1999.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter and son-in-law; Diana and Galen Davis of Scottsdale, AZ; five sons and four daughters-in-law; Robert and Donna of Moore of Tewksbury, Rodney and Diane Moore of Amherst, NH, Richard Moore of Walpole, Stephen and Susan Moore of Arlington and Ronald and Mary Moore of Braintree; one sister; Alice Hawkins of Warrenton, VA; one brother; George Matthews of Alexandria, VA; 16 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Matthews was the brother of the late Amy Craig and Walter Matthews.
Calling hours Friday, September 9th, 6-8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 10th at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Cemetery, 90 River Rd., Tewksbury. At the request Omit Flowers. Memorial contributions to Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445 are requested.