Francis X. Scire passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 16th in the company of his loving family at the age of 81. He was the beloved husband of 58 years to the late Donna M. Scire (Ramasci). He was known to many as "Frank" however it was not uncommon to hear others call him "Papa".
Frank was son of the late Mario and Lena Scire (Forestiere) and was the youngest of 9 siblings. His father, a Sicilian immigrant, came to America in 1914 from Mineo, Sicily settling in Woburn, Massachusetts alongside his twin brother Fortunato. Frank was raised in Woburn surrounded by his family and relatives, many of which lived on the same street. It was there in Woburn where Frank met Donna, the love of his life. After graduating from Woburn High School, Frank served his country proudly as member of the United States Army. Upon his return, Frank and Donna married and spent the next 30 years raising their four children in Woburn before moving to Boston's North End.
For 40 years Frank worked as a member of the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 4 helping construct many schools and office buildings throughout New England. Many of these buildings still stand today, some of which are part of Boston's prestigious skyline including the John Hancock Tower.
Frank was a very generous, loving, and supportive husband, father, and grandfather. He was also a well-respected baseball coach. During his earlier years you could find Frank on a baseball field coaching one of Woburn's Babe Ruth or Legion teams with his young children in tow. If you happened to drive by the fields during one of his practices, you would see his three young boys (Fran, Doug, and Mike) in the outfield "shagging" fly balls only to be dwarfed by high school players three times their size. But his time coaching others came to an end and was soon replaced by coaching his own children. It did not matter if it was tee-ball, baseball, softball, or basketball, Frank could always be found on some field or court teaching many on how to play to their best. Shortly after his youngest turned 4, his only daughter (Donna) was born. There is always something magical about a bond between a father and daughter and Frank's bond with this little newborn was no different. When it came time to coach Donna's softball team, Frank did the only thing he knew how to do...he grabbed his coaching gear, gave his daughter a hand-me-down glove, and headed onto the softball field to teach these young girls the same lesson on how to play to their best.
Frank's true joy came later in life when he became a grandfather to eight beautiful grandchildren. Frank spent the last twenty-five years attending as many of their events as possible, even if it meant driving in and out of Boston multiple times a day. It did not matter if his grandchildren were playing baseball, basketball, lacrosse, softball, or track and field, Papa was there. It did not matter if he had to travel to Hopkinton, Washington D.C., or Florida, Papa was there. He was at concerts, award ceremonies, plays, recitals, and graduations. He showed up so often that he was even asked to be the Assistant Coach for Hopkinton's middle school baseball team. He became a staple at anything and everything for his grandchildren. And in the off-chance Frank was not attending one of his grandchildren's events, you would find him sitting at his kitchen table, shuffling a deck of cards, teaching one of his grandchildren the game of whist.
Frank was charismatic and loved by everyone he met. On warm days you would find him sitting on a park bench in Boston's North Square chatting with one of his many friends. His laugh was unique and unmistakable. He will be sadly and deeply missed.
Frank is survived by his four children, Francis X. Scire, Jr. of West Palm Beach, FL, Douglas X. Scire and his wife Lizy of the North End, Michael X. Scire and his wife Gwen Altman of Hopkinton, and Donna M. Del Peschio of the North End, and her late husband Vincent. He was the loving Papa to Nicholas, Isabella, Benjamin, Catherine, Mattea, Samuel, Giovanna, and Alexandra. He was the devoted brother to Robert C. Scire of Woburn, Richard J. Scire of Florida, the late Rose E. Baggett, Agrippino T. Scire "Pino", Samuel G. Scire, William M. Scire, Mary E. O'Hara "Tootsie", and Eleanor L. Scire. Frank is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Frank's funeral services will be from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant Street, Woburn, Monday, March 27th at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass celebrated in St. Leonard Church, 320 Hanover Street, Boston, at 10:30 a.m. Services will conclude with burial at Calvary Cemetery, Winchester. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Funeral Home will be held on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m.