Francis John Duart, affectionately known as “Frankie,” died peacefully at St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River after a brief illness. He was 73.
Frankie was born 73 years ago in Oak Bluffs, the eldest son of Hilda M. and Francis M. Duart of Vineyard Haven. Frank graduated from the Tisbury Elementary and High School in 1959, from Stonehill College in 1963, and earned his master’s degree in education from Bridgewater State in 1966. He taught high school English for 34 years in the Dighton-Rehoboth School system, and was, for a number of years, the English department head before his retirement in 1998.
Frank was also a reserve police officer for the Dighton Police Department, and longtime member of the Dighton Police Association. He was an avid reader of history and biographies. He also loved animals, especially cats, his favorite being Amos.
Frank was a gentle, dignified, scholarly person, with a quiet, unassuming nature, who found humor in all things. He was nice to everyone, and his humble spirit will be missed greatly by all who knew him. Shortly before he died, he said, “You are all under strict instructions to be cheerful.”
Frank is survived by his sisters, Martha Post and her husband Michael of West Tisbury, and Delia Duart of West Roxbury; brothers Leo Duart and his wife Margo of West Virginia, and Patrick Duart of Dighton, youngest brother and loving caregiver; and two nephews, Christopher and Benjamin Post, of Portland, Ore.
A visiting and brief memorial service will be held at the Crapo-Hathaway Funeral Home, 350 Somerset Ave. (Route 138 South), Taunton, from 5 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, Oct. 2.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank’s memory to the Dighton-Rehoboth Teachers Association Citizen Scholarship Fund, or to the ASPCA. A private interment will be held at a later date. To light a candle, get directions, or access the memorial register, go to hathawayfunerals.com.