Francis S. Mackiewicz

Lifelong resident of Abington, on August 15, after complications from heart disease, age 82. Beloved husband, father and grandfather, World War II veteran and leading advocate for local gardening, conservation and community affairs. He was a graduate of Abington High School where he captained the football team to the 1942 State Championship. He then went on to the University of Massachusetts Stockbridge School of Agriculture, where Frank discovered his lifelong avocation for land preservation and conservation. After graduating in 1948, he established a business in landscape architecture in Abington, which over the years resulted in numerous citations for excellence, including the President's Award at the New England Flower Show. As a local business leader, he was Treasurer and President of the Abington Rotary Club and a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. In service to the town, Frank was elected to serve successive years as Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent for the town and was an appointed member of the Conservation, Finance and Cemetery Committees of the Board of Selectman. Frank was also past president of the Abington Polish Club. Frank was well known for his Keep Abington Green program, where he donated to each graduating senior of Abington High a tree sapling for planting in designated areas throughout the town. Frank maintained a greenhouse on his property that became a well known meeting place for local friends and associates with a common interest in the garden and all growing things. As a World War II veteran, he was selected to serve as one of the first trained experts in underwater demolition in the Pacific Theatre, in an elite group that later formed the basis for the Navy Seals program. His many years of devotion to family, friends, and community will be missed and remembered by all who knew him. He leaves three sisters, Jennie Arab of Whitman, Wanda Cook of Whitman, and Pauline Lee of Whitingsville, NJ; his former wife Grace Avery of Rockland; four daughters, Marynia Mackiewicz of Cambridge, Christina McMahon of Abington, Andrea Mackiewicz of Greenwich, CT, and Jane Downes of Cape Elizabeth, ME; as well as four grandsons. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Abington Public Library, 500 Gliniewicz Way, Abington, MA 02351. Visiting hours will be held in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel Plymouth Street (Rt. 58 at the rotary) WHITMAN on Wednesday August 20th from 3-5 and 7-9 PM. His services will be held Thursday August 21st at 8:15 AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel followed by a funeral mass at 9 AM in St. Bridget Church, Abington. Internment will follow in the St. James Cemetery, Whitman. For online condolences and directions visit www.blanchardfc.com