Frank R. Viscardi

Frank R. Viscardi of Westborough passed away peacefully on February 11 surrounded by family. He was 90 years old. He was born in Worcester to the late Emil R. and J. Shirley (Arsenault) Viscardi, raised in Shrewsbury and a 1952 graduate of Shrewsbury High School excelling in sports and student government. He attended Fitchburg State College where he continued to participate in sports, and was later inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the 1952 soccer team. Frank was involved in the Mohawk Club and Men’s Athletic Association while majoring in education for industrial arts, graduating in 1956. He also earned a Master’s degree from Worcester State College. Frank began teaching in Northbridge but spent most of his career in the Framingham Public Schools as an industrial arts/technology education teacher, eventually becoming the department leader. He served as president of the Technology Education Association of Massachusetts (TEAM) and the New England Association of Technology Teachers (NEATT). Frank also received the Dr. Phillip J. Tardanico Award for outstanding contribution to technology education in 1997 and was involved in writing the Massachusetts Framework for Technology Education. He briefly coached soccer for Framingham State College. Frank married Patricia A. Durkin in 1960 and raised their family in Westborough where they were together until her death in 2018. Frank and Pat enjoyed traveling through Europe after he retired. He was involved with many community organizations such as the Westborough Recreation Commission, having a strong influence on the inception of the youth soccer program, as well as the planning of the Haskell Street athletic fields. He volunteered with the Jaycees, the Westborough Civic Club, youth baseball and softball, St. Luke the Evangelist, and Boy Scout and Girl Scout events. In 2008, the Westborough Rotary Club honored his contributions to the town with their annual Paul Harris Fellow Award that exemplifies the Rotary’s motto, “service above self.” Frank enjoyed cooking, gardening, photography, and wood working. Spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren brought him the most joy, especially when he could help them complete projects or cook.

Frank is survived by his children Kenneth Viscardi and his wife Linda, Steven Viscardi, Gail Granger and her husband Lance, and Beth Viscardi, and his grandchildren Caitlin Gallegos and her husband Tony, Lindsey Granger, Emily Granger, Anna Viscardi, and Jessica Knight and her husband Nate. He also leaves behind his sister Judith Jordan and her husband Ed and nephews and nieces Christopher Pappas, Jeffrey Pappas, Nicole Howard, Deborah Durkin-Puia, Christopher Durkin, Michael Durkin and their families.

In addition to his parents and wife, Frank was predeceased by his in-laws Anna and Anthony DeRosa, Ray and Johanne Durkin, and Peter Pappas.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 22, at 10:00 A.M. in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Burial will follow in St. Luke’s Cemetery.

Calling hours at the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough, are Friday, February 21, from 4 to 7 P.M.

Memorial donations can be made to the Worcester County Food Bank, 474 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or St. Luke the Evangelist, 70 West Main St., Westborough, MA 01581.