Francis C. Cartaglia Jr.

LOWELL – Francis C. Cartaglia Jr, 71, of 1461 Pawtucket Boulevard, died peacefully Friday, June 6th in Tufts Medical Center, Boston, with his family at his side.

He was born in Macon, GA on June 22, 1942, son of the late Col. Francis C. and Helen (Weingartner) Cartaglia and lived in Lowell for the last 15 years.

After graduation from high school, at the age of 18 Frank enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving honorably in active duty for 22 years until his retirement in 1982.  In that time Frank was decorated & awarded the A.F. Commendation Medal, the A.F. Good Conduct Medal, the A.F. Longevity Service Award, the National Defense Service Medal and the A.F. Outstanding Unit Award.  He had lived all over the world, serving at times in Italy, Germany, Alaska, and Texas where he bonded with men & women and where relationships were formed and kept to this day.  Frank’s God given gift was his selfless appetite to help others unconditionally.
Frank continued to work for the Air Force and was 23 years retired Civil Service as Chief of Homeland Security at Hanscom Air Force Base, Bedford, MA.

Frank played a great game of golf and was a member and employee of the Four Oaks Country Club in Dracut where he will be remembered as the Starter who convinced everyone their next ball would be a hole-in-one.  He was a member of V Tour, a group of close friends, who traveled and played at area golf courses.  In the past few years Frank made donations to the Homeless Vets and was active with the Wounded Warrior Project. He was the salt of this earth.

No man’s heart was greater than Frank’s when it came to his family who he loved unconditionally. He would stop the world from turning if they needed anything, and he shared that world with his wife of 9 years, Mia, a son Frank & his wife Deborah, his step children, Billy Manley, Jennifer Manley and Brett Manley, also his step children from his first marriage, Lisa & David Dwinell, and the Apples of his eye his three grandchildren, Cameron, Taylor & Gabrielle Cartaglia.  He also leaves a brother David Cartaglia and his wife Joanne of Lake Havasu, AZ, a sister Marion Grant & her husband of Rockland, ME, and nieces and nephews.

Military funeral services will be held July 11, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. directly at the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA.  Rev. Francis Roberge will officiate.  There are no calling hours.

Memorial donations may be made to New England Center for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court Street, Boston, MA 02108 (http://www.va.gov/homeless/for_homeless_veterans.asp) or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate.aspx)

Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.

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