Master Sergeant Frank A. Van Gorder Jr. United States Air Force (Retired), an 18 year resident of Plymouth and formerly of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Monday, December 20, 2021 at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth . He was 88 years of age.
Frank was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 8, 1933, a son of the late Frank A. Van Gorder and Eva Mae (Thorne) Van Gorder. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York for a short period of time before his family moved to Charlestown. He attended the Clarence R. Edwards Middle School in Charlestown and Charlestown High School. He furthered his education later in life and in 1980, he received his Associates Degree from Bunker Hill Community College. At age 15, eager to serve his country he joined the National Guard. At the age of 18, he enlisted into the United States Navy on May 9, 1952 and served his country faithfully and with courage during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on May 3, 1956 with the rank of Gunners Mate Third Class. Following his discharge from the Navy, he worked in a leather factory for a short period of time before enlisting into the United States Air Force in 1956. Frank served in the United States Air Force for 16 years during the Vietnam Conflict where again he served his country faithfully and with honor. On June 8, 1967, he received the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. He was honorably discharged and retired from the Air Force on September 1, 1972 with the rank of Master Sergeant following 20 years, 1 month and 5 days of faithful service to his country.
Following his 20 years of military service, Frank began working for A & P for a short period of time before working for the Unted States Postal Service on March 10, 1973 as a Maintenance Mechanic and retired on July 3, 1998 following 25 years of dedicated service. Frank gave 46 dedicated years of his life to serve the United States of America and was very proud and patriotic for the country he loved and was very passionate about his beliefs. In his spare time, Frank enjoyed camping, fishing and listening to music and was a member of The John Alden Club in Plymouth.
Frank was a family man who cherished the quality moments spent with his wife and children and appreciated all that was given to him. He was very proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and beamed with pride with all the many accomplishments each one of them has achieved.
Frank is the beloved husband of 67 years to Margaret C. "Peg" (Connolly) VanGorder. He is the devoted father of Peggy VanGorder, Doris McGoff and her late husband Danny, Alice VanGorder and her longtime companion Ken Milligan, Katherine VanGorder and her longtime companion Ed Cabral, Susan Flynn and her husband Michael, Barbara Parker and her husband Eric and Frank A. VanGorder III and his wife Ginny. He is the loving Papa to Paul Cannizzaro, Mark VanGorder, Michelle Cullen, Krystin Cormier-Powell, Stephen Flynn, Butchie Cormier, Danny McGoff, Brian Flynn, Meaghan McGoff, Micaela Flynn, Pat McGoff, Kaitryn Allen, Molly Breen, Michael VanGorder, Ryan McGoff, Mike Flynn, Lauren VanGorder, Emily Parker, Payton VanGorder, the late Mark VanGorder and his great-grandchildren Emma Hamilton, Cat Flynn, Tommy Flynn, Lilly Cullen, Cormac Cullen, Jason Breen, Jack Flynn, Charlie Breen, Anna Breen and Teddy Flynn. He is the beloved brother of the late Virginia Hickey, Doris Van Gorder and Janet McGrath. He is also survived by his many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Frank's Funeral on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 10 A.M. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Francis De Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown at 11 A.M. (FACIAL COVERINGS ARE REQUIRED INSIDE CHURCH). His burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. His visiting hours will be on Monday, December 27, 2021 from 4 to 7 P.M. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Frank's name to The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516