Frank Maguire

In Loving Memory of Frank Maguire
"We just love your dad!" These words were a common refrain heard by all six of Frank Maguire's children from their earliest days at St. Alphonsus School to his final years at American House Assisted Living in Dearborn Heights. His unwavering love for God, family, and community defined his extraordinary life.
Frank Maguire was born on September 16, 1925, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to John and Mary Maguire, who had emigrated from Ireland. When Frank was 2 years old, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan.
After moving to Detroit, their father succumbed to the disease of alcoholism at a time it was little understood and there was no treatment. Their mother raised Frank, the youngest, his brother John, and his sisters Roseann and Mary on her own during the Great Depression, relying on her deep devotion to the Catholic faith.
Frank had numerous jobs growing up and gave his earnings to help his mother, whom he dearly loved and respected. One humbling time in his life came about when his school delivered Thanksgiving meals to the poor. Some of his classmates had come to his house. "Hey, we brought food to your house," one of the boys announced at school in front of others. Frank feigned surprise and laughed telling them someone must have mixed up the addresses.
Despite this, he became class president at Visitation high school, overcoming his fear of public speaking to give speeches in front of his class. He shared with his children that he overcame this fear after he began working for Ford Motor Company and took courses at Dale Carnegie on public speaking.
Frank attended Sacred Heart Seminary School in 9th and 10th grade but ultimately felt God was not calling him to the priesthood.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, 1943-1946, enlisting in the middle of his senior year. He trained as a paratrooper, but the war ended before he would be deployed. The GI bill enabled him to attend The University of Detroit where he graduated with degrees in philosophy and sociology, with thoughts of going into social work. Instead, he took a job with Ford Motor Company. Impressed by his talents, they trained him to be a time-study Industrial Engineer. This was his career for thirty-nine years, working at the Dearborn Assembly Plant.
In 1955, Frank joined a Catholic bowling league one evening. Julie Sommers was in that league and wasn't interested in participating anymore. "Just go this one last time," her brother Joe pleaded. He is the one who invited Frank. That is the night Julie and Frank met and quickly fell in love. On July 4, 1955, they were married and added six children in less than 10 years.
Despite never knowing his father, Frank became a loving and steady husband and father, never raising his voice, or complaining, even during hard times. He often planned fun and educational family events on weekends in addition to the annual two-week vacations to cottages on the lake.
Frank was active in the Church and community. For instance, in 1967, he organized and ran the St. Alphonsus Dad's Club baseball league, where he also coached. He remained active in the Dad's Club while his six children were being educated there.
He spearheaded a number of community projects; one being saving Anthony Park from housing development. He enjoyed jogging and became a competitive runner at the age of 50, competing in 100+ events over nearly 2 decades.
Frank retired on his 65th birthday in 1990 and returned to his old neighborhood to volunteer at a soup kitchen every Sunday. He also was a Eucharistic minister bringing communion to Catholics at Oakwood Hospital. For over two decades, after Saturday morning Mass at Divine Child, Frank gathered a group to pray in front of several abortion clinics, having a passion for the unborn and wanting to help women know that there was support for them and their babies. His love of God was expressed through his daily attendance at Mass, continuing nearly three decades after retirement.
Frank spent his final years in American House Senior Assisted Living, carefully selected by his ever-devoted daughter Colleen. She and her family moved two blocks from her parents which made it easier for her to take care of them in their senior years. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren frequently visited Frank. Many stories were told, songs sung, and hundreds of games of rummy, chess, and Wii bowling were played. He also formed many new friendships with residents and staff who became family to him.
Frank left this world for the arms of his loving Lord on November 21, 2024, at the age of 99. Loving father of Mike (Debbie) Maguire, Patricia (the late Mark) Armstrong, Colleen (Mark) Matthewson, Mariann (Sonny) Petersen, Gary Maguire, and Brian (Lisa) Maguire. Dearest grandfather of twenty-two and great-grandfather to thirty-three.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved wife, Julia Maguire. Frank will be deeply missed by family and friends. Visitation Tuesday, December 3, 2024, from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at the Dearborn Chapel of Voran Funeral Home, 23701 Ford Road. (313) 278-5100. Rosary service 6:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. In state Wednesday 9:30 a.m. with a 10:00 a.m. Mass of the Resurrection to follow at Church of the Divine Child, 1055 N. Silvery Lane, Dearborn. Interment St. Hedwig Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Lennon Center, 24275 Ann Arbor Trail, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127. Luncheon to follow at Park Place.