Francis Bernard Wallingford

Francis B Wallingford Jr. of Cohasset, MA passed away peacefully on July 23, 2022.  It was both his anniversary and his son’s birthday. Fran was born in New York and moved with his loving wife Sheila to Cohasset in 1968 and then back again in 1983.

Fran was the son of Francis B Wallingford Sr. and Lillian Masterson Wallingford of Watervliet, NY. Fran was the dear brother of Nancy Bauman (deceased, Bob decreased) Matamoras, PA; Michael Wallingford (wife Barbara) Tiverton, RI; and Thomas Wallingford (wife Cheryl) Troy, NY.  Fran was loved by his son Gregory Wallingford (wife Stacey) and was the loving Grandfather of Lillyan Wallingford and John Wallingford of Cohasset, MA.  “Uncle Fran” was also the loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Fran was a graduate of the Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, NY and earned a BA from Siena College graduating in 1961.   Fran spent most of his career in Insurance and Real Estate.  He was also member of the US Coast Guard.

Fran was an avid runner and valued his daily workouts at the gym. Most days for Fran started at the doors of the Quincy or South Shore YMCA when they opened.  He enjoyed both his workouts and friends he made at the gym. During his lifetime, Fran ran twenty-five marathons including Boston and New York.  He started running marathons in 1966 and ran his last in 1998.  His most memorable was the 100th Boston Marathon that he completed with his son Greg in 1996. Fran was a proud member of the L Street Running Club in South Boston.  He ran in any type of weather and whether on vacation or at home, he found somewhere to run.

When he was not running, he cherished spending time with his family in upstate NY at the Saratoga racetrack where he worked in High School and College. He loved talking about the Saratoga Track and spent his time dreaming about it each year.  For the past few years, while living with his son Greg in Cohasset, he enjoyed going to watch his grandson John pitch baseball games and his granddaughter Lilly figure skate.  He often provided pitching and training advice to John and loved listening with Lilly to her figure skating music, which was often his favorite genre, Jazz.

Fran will be missed by all who knew him.  A private burial will be held in August followed by a celebration of life this fall.  In leu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hospice of the South Shore, 30 Reservoir Park, Rockland MA.  The nurses and aids from the Hospice took amazing care of Fran until the end of his life and we all appreciate everything they did for him. 

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