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 11, 2015
Frank Bold tribute, by James Bold.
Dad was a true renaissance man. A product of the booming fifties, he went on to become the first Bold to earn a degree, a loving husband and father, an Army Vet, highly respected executive, and a fine musician. Taking his life literally from coast to coast. During Frank’s journey, three main characteristics defined who he was:
1)His resounding hard work ethic to make sure his family had safety, security and opportunity. Dad started his career at Philco Ford in Philadelphia and went on to a successful career with several more divisions of Ford. In 1977 Ford Aerospace had him on their radar. He was offered a promotion and transfer to Detroit, MI. He accepted the offer with a heavy heart. Knowing it meant uprooting himself and immediate family from friends, schools, and church. Also leaving his ailing Mother and siblings in the only city he had ever known. We did not understand it at the time, but he did and that’s all that mattered. The move was a vision to increase his family’s position of safety and security. In 1988 he was again approached to take a higher position in California. Once again the same angst and trepidation applied to uprooting and leaving community and friends. He understood why the move was necessary and that was all that mattered. Finally retiring from Lockheed Martin Aerospace, he achieved all his professional goals and could enjoy his current and final community here in Mission Viejo.
2) Dad never lost his East coast charm, vernacular and often borderline crass “tell it like it is” Philly sense of humor. This trait was passed down to his children like a disease one has no interest in finding the cure for,He was able to gain friends and influence people from his workplace to the St Kilian community.
3) Last but not least, Dad always loved to play the piano, anytime anywhere, he was taught by his Father Frank V. My Dad loved sharing his gift. As a matter of fact, since 1988 he played the 88 keys at this church every Sunday. He was a man of integrity and commitment to his faith and congregation. When my wife was late term pregnant with my son Liam, we would sit on the bench pew directly behind Dad at the organ of the old Church. When the music started, Liam would become very active in the womb. Elbows and feet. He was either dancing or trying to find a way to the source of those beautiful key strokes. So Liam and my father had a mystical, rhythmical connection months before he was even introduced to this world. After my father was drafted into US Army, he was stationed in Germany. Once the Military brass became aware of his proficiency on the piano, his major task was to play the dignitary dinners, officers’ parties and events. Often playing on some of the finest grand pianos in Europe. Picture his counterparts peeling potatoes while he was in a tux doing what he loved best. After service, Dad played gigs in Philadelphia while earning his degree from St. Joes University. His piano playing ability most likely enhanced his growing relationship with that lovely Northeast Philly Gal, Nancy Bates. When I was a teenager, while he drove, I was able to listen and control the radio. If he noticed a song I liked, he would ask “so you like that tune my man?’ I would say yes and we would listen together. Immediately when we arrived home, Dad would go over to his baby grand and play the major chords from a song he heard for the first time 10 minutes earlier. It was amazing, he was amazing. My Dad taught our dearly departed brother Frank how to play as well. I am certain they are playing a Frank and Frank Jr gig in the sky. I conclude with an excerpt from a famous Billy Joel tune “sing us a song you’re the piano man, sing us a song tonight. We’re all in the mood for a melody, and you’ve got us feeling alright” Dad you always made us feel alright, but more importantly, you always made sure we WERE alright. Rest in peace “my man” we love and miss you already.
Tony Levatino says:
January 11, 2015
Frank was one of the first Brothers I met upon joining Council #6332. He was our Inside Guard, and I was assigned as the Outside Guard, so we sat next to each other throughout many of our meetings. He was always warm and personable, and extremely dedicated to the Knights of Columbus for so many years. His absence at our meetings will be felt by all our members. On behalf of my family, and KOC Council #6332 we express our condolences at this difficult time, but know Frank is looking down from Heaven.
Edward Karpowicz says:
January 13, 2015
Mr Bold always treated me with respect and never talked down to me. I grew up down the “driveway” from the Bolds. He his wife and his family hold the dearest memories of my childhood. He had a mastery of the word “man” which is a Philly trait he never lost…Ed Karpowicz
Dolores Manion says:
February 3, 2015
Years ago, my husband, Joe Manion, met Frank when they worked together at Philco Ford. I remember coming to your home for dinner and being entertained by Frank at the piano. He was a lovely man and I hope he and Joe (who died in 2012 at age 72) are having a reunion in Heaven.. My prayers are with your family. Dolores Manion
Tony Romano says:
February 4, 2015
I have no idea what promoted me to all of a sudden yesterday think about Frank. Its been 60 years since we last were together. In any event I did and plugged the only data I had on him ; his name and Philadelphia ,Pa. which is where I remember was his home at the time into the computer. Several sites came up indicating he recently passed away. So I start here by conveying the condolences of my wife ,who also knew Frank , and me to the Bold family. We will remember him in our prayers .
I served with Frank in the Army from 1954 to the early part of 1955 when I rotated. We were together in the 7727 Rehab Unit stationed at Kaufbreuen, Germany and later moved Nort6h to Crailsheim. The 7727 was not a large unit and so we got to know most of the guys assigned there. However. Frank and I got close through music. He was a really talented musician and I was just about a fair sax man. We put together a little group which I believe just included a drummer and had a lot of fun. We played for ourselves, the EMs and occasionally for the officers. Frank did much more on a solo basis which made sense because he was the best of the group . I noted from reading other notes that he kept up with his music all of his life. I’m sure passed a love of it on to his family.
Last night my wife and I were talking about Frank and the things we remember about him. We came up with things like..tall and lanky, good looking and COOL. I don’t know if that word is used any more but to us , at the time , it meant a lot ! Most of all, we both remember that he was a nice man who was always a pleasure to be with !
Over the years, I had numerous occasions to be in Philly both on business and at various events at Saint Josephs University. Two of my nephews and two of our granddaughters are graduates. Every time I was in town I would think this is the time I’ll bump into Frank. It never happened .
Both my wife and I have fond remembrances of Frank. It is clear from whwt I read he was not only a talented musician but a very wonderful husband, Father and caring person. God Bless him !!!
Tony and Mildred Romano