FRANCIS M. MOONEY JR.
April 26, 2023
US Navy
Francis M. Mooney, Jr. – of Woburn, April 26th at the age of eighty-nine. Beloved husband of the late Ann (Flaherty) Mooney. Proud father of F. Michael Mooney III, and Lori of Florida, Dr. Kevin Mooney, his wife Kathy of Woburn, Nancy Cummings, her husband Paul of Reading, Timothy Mooney of Arlington and Colleen ParidiMonriva, her husband Glenn of Medford. Cherished grandfather of Zack, Jake, Michaela Mooney, Kaitlyn Wrenn, Shannon and Shawn Mooney, Sarah and Brian Cummings, TJ and Dan Mooney, and Liam and Connor ParidiMonriva and great grandson Eli. Dear brother of John Mooney of Burlington, Thomas Mooney, his wife Carolyn of Winchester and Marylou O’Reilly of Dracut. Fran’s Funeral Mass will take place, Monday, May 1st at 9 a.m., in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central Street, Stoneham. Interment to follow in Woodbrook Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to Calling hours, at the Lynch- Cantillon Funeral Home 263 Main St., Woburn on Sunday, April 30th from 4 – 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made in Fran’s memory to the Woburn Council of Social Concern, Food Pantry, 2 Merrimac Street, Woburn, MA 01801.
Francis “Fran” M. Mooney Jr. passed away peacefully, at his home, Wednesday, April 26th at eighty-nine years of age. Fran was the beloved husband of the late Ann (Flaherty) Mooney.
Fran was the son of the late Francis M. Sr., and Mary (Murphy) Mooney. One of four children, Fran was raised and educated in Winchester and a graduate of Winchester High School, along with the Class of 1951.
Following high school Fran proudly enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served his country proudly during the Korean War. Upon returning home from his time in the service, he married the love of his life Ann (Flaherty) Mooney and they began a blissful 60 year journey thru life until her passing in 2018.
Fran was a life long educator, and began his 32 year teaching career in the City of Woburn at the Golden Elementary School. He became the first principal of the Altavista School in North Woburn, and remained there until his retirement in 1983.
Fran devoted himself to the children and staff. His dedication and creativity brought about some truly wonderful programs, which were shared system wide. Grandparents Day, Student of the Month along with the “Lab Class” which was a class for gifted students, to just name a few! Mr. Mooney was a very highly respected Teacher, Principal, and innovator amongst his colleagues and peers. He was committed to making a difference in the lives of the students he taught, and it was not unusual for him to recognize by face and name students he taught 50 years ago and for them to comment on the difference he made in their lives.
After retiring in 1993 for the Woburn Public Schools, Fran began a new career as an adjunct professor in education at Lesley College. He also began many philanthropic years on the Woburn Council of Social Concern, Board of Directors and volunteering at the Woburn Food Bank.
A true gentleman, scholar and friend to many, he will be remembered for his quick wit and great sense of humor. He was a man of great faith. Fran was active in his faith community throughout the years at St. Patrick’s in Stoneham and St. Charles in Woburn. Throughout his life, faith, family and love, were at the helm of each and every day. Fran was one in a million, with a legacy that will long be remembered and appreciated by all.
He and his bride Ann spent many happy times at their special places, Hampton Beach and Aruba, but his greatest pleasure was family. He never missed a ballgame or show his grandchildren performed in, and he was always their greatest fan! And whether it was the weekly family dinner or game night, where he was always the star or just watching a sports event, he was the happiest with the family together.
Fran is survived and will be deeply missed by his children F. Michael Mooney III, and his wife Lori of Florida, Dr. Kevin Mooney, and his wife Kathy of Woburn, Nancy Cummings, her husband Paul of Reading, Timothy Mooney of Arlington, Colleen ParidiMonriva, her husband Glenn of Medford. Cherished grandfather of Zack, Jake and Micheala Mooney, Kaitlyn Wrenn, Shannon and Shawn Mooney, Sarah and Brian Cummings, TJ and Dan Mooney, and Liam and Connor ParidiMonriva and great grandson Eli. Dear brother of John Mooney of Burlington, Thomas Mooney, his wife Carolyn of Winchester and Marylou O’Reilly of Dracut. And his very special sister-in-law Judy Flaherty of Hampton NH.
Fran’s Funeral Mass will take place, Monday, May 1st at 9 a.m., in St. Patrick’s Church, 71 Central Street, Stoneham. Interment to follow in Woodbrook Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to Calling hours, at the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home 263 Main St., Woburn on Sunday, April 30th from 4-8p.m. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made in Fran’s memory to the Woburn Council of Social Concern, Food Pantry, 2 Merrimac Street, Woburn MA 01801.
Fran’s Funeral Mass will take place, Monday, May 1st at 9 a.m. in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central Street, Stoneham. Interment to follow in Woodbrook Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours, at the Lynch- Cantillon Funeral Home 263 Main St., Woburn on Sunday, April 30th from 4 – 8 p.m. Remembrances may be made in Fran’s memory to the Woburn Council of Social Concern, 2 Merrimac Street, Woburn, MA 01801
On behalf of the extended Byron Family I would like to express our sincere condolences on the passing of Mr. Mooney. He was a highly respected colleague of our parents, Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Byron. He and Mrs. Mooney were also friends of our parents who thoroughly enjoyed spending time socially with “Ann and Fran” as they would refer to them.
Additionally, I had the good fortune to work as a special education teacher at the Altavesta School for several years. I greatly benefitted from the climate of collegiality and mutual respect among the faculty and staff that was facilitated by Mr. Mooney. It was a wonderful school in which to teach. I can recall that Mr. Mooney would participate in the special education evaluation meetings that were conducted on Altavesta students. He would focus intently on the reports being presented by the various specialists so that be would understand the strengths and unique needs of the students under his supervision. On occasion, as I traveled to school, I would observe Mr. Mooney riding his moped up Main Street, wearing his signature wool plaid cap! I thoroughly enjoyed his great sense of humor and that twinkle in his eye.
May you rest in peace, Mr. Mooney. Your work here has been very well done.
Michael and Family
I am sorry for your loss. I will keep all of you in my prayers so you find the strength through great memories and the love you share ey Spinalefor your dad.
I was so very saddened to hear of Fran’s passing. I knew him from working at the Council of Social Concern’s Food Pantry, where he was a volunteer for many years and was beloved and highly respected by all. I think many of our Food Pantry clients tried to get Thursday morning appointments just to be entertained by Fran and his two “partners in crime”, Tom and Kevin. On their shift, there was always singing and dancing and joking, and it was uplifting just to be around them. Now he is reunited with them and with his dear wife, whom he always spoke of so lovingly. My condolences to his entire family.
Dear Kevin and Family,
My family and I are very sorry to hear about the death of your Dear Father. I was sitting in your dental office, and it was Halloween, a man entered the office, he had a mask on, just took a seat, and had the office wondering whom is this man. He eventually removed his mask and it was your Dear Dad. He was so humble. Your Dad was a great man. He was so respected by everyone whom knew him. His students loved him. His legacy will live on.
Love and Prayers,
The O’Connor Family
To the Mooney Family: I am so saddened to hear of your dad’s passing. I worked as a noon-time monitor at the Altavesta School when he was the principal there. He included us with all the school activities whether it was a Christmas party or a cook-out and never let us feel any less than any other school staff member. I had a great relationship with him as he would overlook my being late everyday (he would even remember that and mention it every time I’d see him after his retirement) and also me feeding the seagulls on the playground during recess. One of the saddest days for me and my daughters was the day he retired….that school was never the same. He was a great principal, man, and a friend. He is happy now with your mom. R.I.P Fran.
Condolences to the Mooney family on the loss of a well respected gentleman
Beautiful obituary for a wonderful man and beloved Uncle. I will miss him very much.
So sad to hear of Fran’s passing but happy for him to join his best friend Ann. He has so missed her. Having Fran as a neighbor for over 50 years has been a pleasure. Greeting each other as he hung out on his deck and I working in my yard. Each of us watching our families’ grow through the years. Great neighbor will be missed. Sadly, I will not be able to attend services but my thoughts and prayers will be with the entire family.
Dianne Connor Carbone
A great guy! I got to know him when I was the secretary of the Altavesta School. He always came in to give his scholarship award to a WMHS senior.
Fran, may you rest in peace Lois Surette
To Liam and Family,
I’m so Sorry for your loss my Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I was Mr Mooney Former Student, he was the best Principal and he was so caring .
Overcoming learning Disabilities he was always my cheerleader.
Years later I came to work with Liam learning, Mr Mooney was his Grandfather!
I was honored that he remembered me ..
Again Thank you Mr Mooney for everything.
RIP
Noelle (Salemi) Kelly
Dear Mooney Family,
We are very sorry for your loss. Frannie was a great friend and neighbor. We are sending you our heartfelt thoughts and prayers from St. Maarten.
Claire and Kenny Kessaris
The Mooney, and Flaherty families; Very sorry to hear about Mr. Mooney’s passing recently. As a neighbor for years of both families, my family has very fond memories of everyone in the White School area. I was honored to have known Fran for many years and always enjoyed seeing him. Always a gentleman and genuinely happy to see everyone that he knew and met throughout his life. He impacted so many people positively as an educator and friend and will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very sad time. Sincerely, Bob Connolly Jr.
Dr Mooney and Family:
Condolences to you and all of your family on the passing of your Dad! What a Long and Beautiful Life he Lived! God Bless Him!
I loved playing the good ole Irish music for Mr. Mooney at the Lions Irish needle night. A fine gentleman! God Bless
To the Mooney family,God bless all.He was a great father,friend and I will miss him. He is with Ann watching over all of us. Peace and goodwill
Your Dad was always so proud of all of you. He was such a great friend and neighbor. I have so many fond memories of times in your family home on Oakwood Lane. Please except my sincere condolences on your loss.
Kevin, Shawn & family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. The ones we love are never forgotten. They live within our hearts. May you know peace and comfort.
God bless,
The Culhanes
My deepest condolences go out to the extended Mooney family. Fran will be remembered as a kind and dedicated man and educator. There is no way to know how many young lives he affected during his lifetime. More than just his family his legacy is those students. He touched over his time as a teacher and principal, a life well lived.
Sending Thoughts And Prayers to Dr Mooney and the Mooney Family. Mr Mooney was My Principle at the Altavesta School and was the Best!! Rip Mr Mooney. ❤
Mr. Mooney was my first principal when I was 22 and a brand new teacher in 1988. He was kind and supportive and I have always been thankful for that first experience. Sending my sympathy to your family and wishes for strength in the days to come.
To the entire Mooney clan my sincere condolences. Fran was an outstanding Principal, his students loved him and his staff did as well but more importantly everyone respected him. His relationship with his wife Ann was one to emulate and one that all of us hoped to achieve ourselves. He was a treasured colleague and friend to me and Woburn has lost a treasure.
Mr Mooney was a great teacher. I had him in 4th grade “special class” at the Golden School. We were bussed there from our local schools one day a week . I still remember we had a paperback library in the classroom and we could get up from our seat anytime we wanted to get a book!!! Such freedom! Fran was married to my second cousin Ann Flaherty so he even felt more special to me. Was a kind laid back teacher whose mantra was kids come first. May his memory be a blessing!
I work at 110 grill and about 6 months ago Mr. Mooney came in and I was his server. I introduced myself and he looked at me and said my name. He was my principal 40 years ago and he instantly recognized me. He was so sweet as recalled my family members he knew. I couldn’t believe he remembered me. He was so sweet and kind. It made me feel young again. Thank you Mr. Mooney, you made me laugh and you will be missed!
A wonderful man
Loved and respected by many
May he Rest In Peace
He is now resting in peace
To the Mooney family: I extend my condolences, sympathies, and prayers on the loss of Fran. The City has lost one of its most competent school administrators. I knew Fran when he was the Altavesta School principal. He had great skill in the utilization of an Educational consultant. Fran always had the best interests of his students as his priority. His competence, administrative skills, enthusiasm and wit were commendable. I also enjoyed our conversations after mass at St. Anthony of Padua. And of course we had fascinating talks about our trips to Saratoga – between Fran, Ann and I we had many “shoulda, woulda, couldas!” Requiescat in pace, Fran.
Our hearts are broken to hear of the loss of Uncle Fran. But he departed on his terms and is now with his beloved Ann in Heaven. We will remember you always. Lots of love, Kathy and Marc Larmand and family.
Alan and I are so very sorry for your loss. Fran was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor. May he rest in the sweetest peace.