JOHN M. FRANKOVICH

1928 - 2018

FRANKOVICH, John M. John Michael Frankovich, 89, Early Computer and Internet Engineer, retired MIT Lincoln Laboratory mathematician and research engineer, died peacefully at his home in Lexington, MA on February 27 of pancreatic cancer. Mr. Frankovich was part of the team working on early development of the Internet and its interfaces, and a leader in Doppler weather radar development and its implementation. He was one of the early software innovators on Whirlwind – the first computer capable of real time computation that led to digital electronic computing in use today. John worked on system integration of SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment), the first continental air defense network. He also was involved with the development and system integration of TX-2, known for its role in advancing artificial intelligence, graphics, and human-computer interaction. The basic technology behind the TX-2 became a standard approach for many commercial computer products. Later in his career he was a leader in the development and implementation of Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) systems. Mr. Frankovich was born in New London, CT in 1928 to Michael J. Frankovich and Louise (Cook). He and his sister were raised by their maternal grandparents in the Beachmont section of Revere, MA. Mr. Frankovich attended Boston English High School and then MIT where he graduated with a Sc.B. in Mathematics, class of 1950. At the age of 3, John was diagnosed with polio and as a result spent much of his childhood going through treatment and many surgeries. He attributed his health and longevity to his love of outdoor activities including sailing, bicycling, and mountain climbing. John was an avid New England and Caribbean sailor, especially enjoying summers spent with his wife Emily sailing down the coast of Maine to the Canadian border. As a member of the Sub Sig Outing Club he spent many years camping, hiking, and trail clearing throughout New England. He often spoke of peak-bagging all the White Mountain 4,000 footers in 1960. He was an ardent conservationist and up until the past year continued to maintain local trails in and around Lexington. John is survived by his wife of 61 years, Emily (Weston); his children, Lydia Louise and Thomas Hart of Stoneham and Lexington, MA, Caroline Michaela and her husband, Walter Ronten, of Chelmsford, MA and Jack Weston Frankovich of Fairport, NY; and his much-loved grandchildren Jessica, Nicholas, Amy, and Kenneth. He is also survived by his sister Caroline Louise Fiene of Steeleville, IL, and his nieces Faith Fiene of Lexington, KY, Hope Fiene and nephew Tom, both of Steeleville, IL and many cousins, great-nieces and -nephews. A celebration of life will be held at Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Lexington, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Appalachian Mountain Club, 10 City Square, Boston, MA 02129 or www.outdoors.org.