On May 29, 2017, Francis Michael O’Boy passed away at Morton Hospital after a lengthy illness. The oldest son of Francis J. and Mary Bradley O’Boy, Frank is survived by his beloved wife, Patsy-Ann Vallett O’Boy, his daughter, Kerrin Veronica O’Boy Willis, his two adored granddaughters, Charlotte and Georgia Willis, his brother Paul O’Boy and sister in law Joanne O’Boy, their daughters, Kristen Simmons, Katharine O’Boy, and Julie O’Boy, and his great niece, Kelly Simmons, all of Taunton.
Frank was a graduate of Coyle High School, where he was co-captain of the football team and President of the Class of 1957. He completed his undergraduate studies at Providence College, and graduated from Boston College Law School in 1964 (Go Eagles!). Upon passing the bar exam, he entered private practice in Taunton with the late Benjamin A. Freidman. He served two terms as a member of the Taunton School Committee, one term as City Solicitor for the late Mayor Joseph Flood, and later served as an Assistant District Attorney under the late John Tierney. He was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the First Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. District Court, and the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.
After his return to private practice in 1980, Frank served as lead counsel in over 70 homicide cases. He was rated by Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent in both legal abilities and ethical standards, which is the highest possible rating. Frank was named as one of the top lawyers in New England, with wide experience as legal counsel in civil cases for the plaintiff and defendant in both federal and state courts. In 2004, he was voted a Massachusetts “Super Lawyer”, and in 2010, Boston Magazine named him a Top Attorney in Massachusetts. In 2011, he received the Honorable David S. Nelson Public Interest Law Award from Boston College Law School. In 2013, Lawyer’s Weekly voted him “Lawyer of the Year.” He was the only attorney in the notorious Big Dan’s case to secure an acquittal. He also served as counselor for Jacques Robideaux in the widely publicized State vs Robideaux trial.
Frank served as President of the Bristol County Bar Association and also served on a number of advisory committees for the Supreme Judicial Court. Frank was also the author of several books, including Big Dan’s: A Place Without Heroes. He was a lector at the former St. Paul’s Church in Taunton, and a 2003 recipient of the prestigious St. Thomas Moore award, given by the Diocese of Fall River for outstanding Catholic lawyers.
Frank was a fanatic fan of Boston College Football, and each fall he organized a trip to a B.C. away game for a group of his close friends. He was a voracious reader and history buff, and more than anything else, he enjoyed spending a Sunday afternoon with his family out by the pool.
Frank stated that in 53 years, he “never had a bad day practicing law.”
Calling hours will be from 4-8 pm on Friday, June 2nd, at O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home in Taunton. The Mass of Christian burial will be on Saturday, June 3rd, at 9:30 am at The Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Taunton. Burial in St. Francis Cemetery in Taunton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in his name be made to the scholarship funds at either Coyle & Cassidy High School or Bishop Feehan High School.