Francis James Bold
October 28, 1932 - December 28, 2014
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Francis James Bold
October 28, 1932 - December 28, 2014
Obituary
Frank Bold, 82, of Mission Viejo, CA passed away peacefully at home with family on December 28, 2014 after battling cancer. Born in Woodbury, NJ on October 28, 1932 to Mary and Francis V. Bold, Frank resided in Philadelphia, PA for his first 44 years. He was a graduate of Philadelphia’s Roman Catholic High School and St. Joseph’s University*. Frank was the oldest of five children and his life was filled with service and loyalty to family, country, Church, and community. After high school, he served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army as part of the Marshall Plan in post WWII Germany. Returning to “the Big P”, Frank served Philadelphians as a musician and U.S. postal carrier while in college. He met the love of his life Nancy (Bates) in 1955. Their courtship overcame a challenging cross-town commute, and they married in 1959. Shortly after graduation from St. Joseph’s, Frank started a 38-year career as a finance executive with the same organization, DBAs: Philco, Ford Motor, Ford Aerospace, Loral Aerospace, and Lockheed Martin, retiring in 1998. Along the way, Frank’s career advancement included relocations to Troy, MI in 1977 and Mission Viejo, CA in 1988. Frank and wife Nancy were long time parishioners and volunteers at Resurrection of Our Lord in Philadelphia, Holy Name in Birmingham, MI and St. Kilian in Mission Viejo. He was a church organist, volunteered for the Special Olympics, and was a former Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus. His brother Knights recently honored Frank for his 60 years of active membership in the organization. His professional skills with music and numbers were matched with a great sense of humor and a knack for recounting captivating stories. Frank enjoyed golf, bowling, softball, and especially time with family and friends. Growing up a few blocks from Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia, he was forever a true sports fan of the Phillies and Eagles.
Frank was preceded in death by beloved brother James and beloved son Francis Anthony. He is survived by his “Hon” and wife of 55 years, Nancy; sisters Mary Claire and Grace; brother Andrew; daughters Teresa and Nancy; sons James and Gerald; grandchildren Ashley, Kenny, Victoria, Liam, Kory, and Claire.
Visitation is Friday January 9, 2015 from 4 to 6 PM at O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills, CA. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday January 10, 2015 at 11 AM at St. Kilian in Mission Viejo, CA followed by burial service at Ascension Cemetery in Lake Forest, CA. In lieu of flowers and to honor his best friend and brother Andrew Bold, the family requests that donations be sent to ALS Hope Foundation of Philadelphia P.O. Box 40777 Philadelphia, PA 19107, https://www.alshopefoundation.org/, or for Frank & Nancy’s unending battle to defend life, please donate to the www.sistersoflife.org Sisters of Life Annunciation 38 Montebello Rd. Suffern, NY 10901.
*”The Hawk will Never Die”
10 responses to Francis James Bold
Jerry Bold says:
January 1, 2015
Hello Nancy, Jim, Jerry and Terri,
I wanted to reach out and tell you how much your Dad has meant to us and we are saddened at his passing.
Knowing he is in heaven with Fran is a comfort though.
Although we’ve all been apart for a number of years, I have always enjoyed spending time with your Dad when he visited or we got to see him at family occasions.
Maya Angelou said people will forget what you said and what you did…but people will never forget how you made them feel.
I always felt like there was going to be a party when Uncle Frank was around. He was always upbeat and telling jokes. And the music…well. He was my introduction to music and one of my most fond memories was from childhood at this time of year. I remember sitting on the deep windowsills in the porch on Rhawn Street singing my heart out with all of you when your Dad played Christmas Carols on that baby grand piano. He was involved in so much of our happy childhood and I’m glad we were living close then and he was able to be a great influence along with all of you.
He always made me feel special and loved. No matter how long we hadn’t seen him, he treated me like a close family member that he loved and cherished. He was always taking care of things for everyone too.
Even when we lost Fran, I remember sitting in your kitchen in California, talking and eating and he helped us move on even though our hearts were lost.
I know Uncle Frank would want us to go on with the party of life and he will be watching over us from above through good times and bad.
Much love,
Diane
Andrea (Bold) O'Briena says:
January 2, 2015
Dear Aunt Nancy, Terri, Jimmy, Nancy and Jerry,
I love looking at all of these photos, and it makes me happy to know that Uncle Frank is in a good place now. I will miss him, so much. He truly felt like a second father to me.
I will always remember how awesome it was when he and my dad got together. It was like watching a comedy routine. Everyone was in tears by the end of it!! And, when the phone rang on Rhawn Street, we knew immediately when it was Uncle Frank. My dad just lit up!!
I am praying for you and thinking of you. See you soon.
Love,
Cousin Annie
John Donnelly says:
January 2, 2015
I met Frank the day I began elementary school. He, Joe McGuriman, Pat Norris and I share a friendship that has endured more than seventy years. We, and our several families, have laughed together, cried together and traveled together these many years. In fact Frank and Pat were members of our wedding party in 1957. Frank was very smart, very sociable, and extremely witty with his story telling. I will miss all of that, and will, for sure, miss his great talent as a pianist. He was a good friend, and a GOOD GUY!
John and Pat Donnelly
Alice says:
January 3, 2015
Heartfelt sympathy to you and your family, Nancy, on the loss of your beloved husband and father. I remember him at Evie and my house on Rawle Street playing “Nancy with the Smiling Face” on the piano. He loved you all of the days of his life, and for that you should be eternally thankful. If we believe what our faith teaches us, you will be with him again one day. Many thanks for all of the wonderful uploaded photos that brought back lovely memories of days gone by. Sincerely, Alice (Evie’s sister)
Trish Bates Doolin says:
January 3, 2015
Dear Aunt Nancy, Terri, Nancy, Jim, and Jerry — Such a wonderful series of photos featuring what were clearly precious moments of Uncle Frank’s life. His wit and wisdom will be missed. We were so glad to have gotten to spend a sunny afternoon with him last year. Sending all our love and prayers. Tricia, Michael and Keira