Frank G. Bovenzi

Frank G. Bovenzi, 92, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at his home surrounded by his children. 

He was born on July 6, 1932 to Frank and Anna (Mazzaferro) Bovenzi. The youngest of four, he was affectionately referred to as ‘Juni’ or Junior. As a young boy, he met and fell in love with his schoolmate, Marjorie ‘Midge’ Hannigan. Midge and he would be married at St. Leo’s Church in February of 1954. 

A lifelong resident of Leominster, Massachusetts, Frank graduated from Leominster High School in 1950 as president of his class. He then attended UMass Amherst, deciding as an undergraduate to enlist in the army. He was stationed in Germany, where he served as a medic. 

After serving his country, he returned to the United States and completed his studies at UMass, earning a master’s degree in civil engineering. 

He then went to work for General Dynamics Electric Boat Division in Groton, CT, where he developed mechanical and structural components for nuclear submarines. 

From there he moved into the field of structural engineering, specializing in high-altitude optical systems. He became Chief of Mechanical Engineering for the Itek Corporation in Lexington, MA. Most of his projects at Itek concerned classified surveillance systems such as designs intended for American reconnaissance planes during the Cold War. Frank led his colleagues in developing the sophisticated mechanisms necessary for anchoring highly sensitive cameras to aircrafts which would fly at the very edge of space.

His career involved Itek’s contribution to the development of a large, versatile space telescope, later named Hubble. Frank also had a hand in the creation of the Infrared Astronomical Satellite, as well as the construction of the cameras that went to the moon with the Apollo astronauts and the Viking landers, which sent pictures back from Mars. 

Frank’s earthbound pursuits were approached with the same diligence and acuity. 

He cherished vegetable gardening, loving the soil, the yield, and the work required to raise each year’s seedlings. He shared all that he grew, presenting loved ones with freshly picked zucchini and bell peppers of green, red, and yellow. Most beautiful of all were his prized tomatoes which he and Midge annually processed and canned. 

Frank loved to cook for his family. Every Christmas Eve, he and Midge prepared the Feast of the Seven Fishes alongside his children and grandchildren, sharing with them the recipes and traditions of his Italian heritage.

In the shellfishing season, Frank was an avid clammer on Cape Cod, where he and Midge kept a small cottage. The many clams he gathered were distributed amongst his children or made into batches of the finest spaghetti alle vongole or Manhattan clam chowder. 

Another true love of Frank’s was Bocce. For over 25 years, Frank and Midge preserved and fostered the Italian American Bocce League of Leominster. His fondness for the game became a perennial occasion for neighborly gatherings and connection. It truly meant a lot to him to see hundreds of participants gather to socialize and the friendly competition of the game he so loved. 

Above all, Frank took great pride in his six children. Throughout his life, he emphasized social responsibility, believing ardently that the joys of life were to be found in community and charity. He steadfastly imparted that ethos upon them. 

Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Anna Bovenzi; his beloved wife of 59 years, Midge Bovenzi; his eldest brother, John F. Bovenzi, his wife, Barbara (Burchstead) Bovenzi, and their son, David J. Bovenzi; his sister, Constance V. (Bovenzi) Chartrand and her husband, Edward Chartrand; his brother-in-law, Lucien Mammone. 

Frank leaves his sister, Madelyn Mammone of Groton, CT; his six children, eldest son, Thomas M. and wife, Lynne Meschel-Bovenzi of Barre, his namesake, Frank J. and wife, Dawn (Holman) Bovenzi of Westminster, his third son Peter E. and wife, Leslie (Sullender) Bovenzi of Lunenburg, his eldest daughter, Anne M. (Bovenzi) and husband, James Moriarty of Leominster, his youngest daughter, Mary Jane (Bovenzi) and spouse, Dalia Panke of Vernon, CT, and his youngest son, Matthew J. Bovenzi of Sterling; as well as fifteen grandchildren, Erin E. Bovenzi, Kate N. Moriarty, Benjamin J. Moriarty, Samantha R. Bovenzi, Patrick F. Moriarty, Leah T. Bovenzi, Emily A. (Bovenzi) Hamilton, Peter M. Bovenzi, Maximillian A. Panke, Nicolo G. Bovenzi, Giovanni F. Bovenzi, Katherine E. Bovenzi, Samuel A. Panke, Anna M. Bovenzi and Rocco F. Bovenzi. He also leaves seven great grandchildren, Gabriella, Frankie, Jack, Hugo, Axel, Luca, and Rory. 

Calling Hours will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 2:00-5:00PM at Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg, MA.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 11:00AM at St. Leo’s Parish, 108 Main St., Leominster, MA with a burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 357 Main Street, Leominster, MA. 

Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg, MA is assisting with Frank’s arrangements.

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