Frank R. Gilchrist, 78 of Wrentham Massachusetts, passed on to be with his Lord on April 8, 2020. He was born in Barre, Vermont on October 9, 1941, to Iveing Gilchrist Sr. and Anna Ryback Gilchrist, who were also born in Vermont. Frank is survived by his wife, Gail Gilchrist of Massachusetts, Daughter - Judy Beavin and husband Ken Beavin and family of Texas, Granddaughter - Trish Stillwell and husband Heath and family of Texas, Daughter - Cindy Couitt and family of New Hampshire, Daughter - Tina Mason and husband Charlie and family of Vermont, Daughter - Shirley Rolfe and family of Vermont, Step-daughter Mary Maldonado and family of Texas, 12 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Frank was preceded in death by both his parents, brothers - Iveing Jr., Theodore, Johnny, Joseph, and Jerry, sister - Virginia, beloved daughter Patricia Rose, and great grandson Josiah Spickard. Frank was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Franklin, Massachusetts.
Frank was a wonderful father, grandfather, husband, brother, and uncle. Frank was an ordinary hero, the man who goes to work and loves his wife and kids. He was loving, giving, and never met a stranger. He would help anyone in need, family, friend, and neighbor. He loved family, life, music, and westerns. As a young teenager, he learned to play the guitar and sing and boy could he sing. His favorite musicians were Elvis, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Lynn Anderson, Dolly Parton for just a few. In his early years, you could catch him with his hair styled like Elvis, dressed like Johnny Cash, looking like one of the outlaws of that generation, oftentimes with a guitar slung over his shoulder. His signature look was a western front snap shirt, and his permanent pressed jeans, which he got from his love of all things cowboy. Marshall Matt Dillon and Ben Cartwright were his TV heroes. Frank was a smoker who was always trying to quit. One of his many sayings, “quitting is easy, I’ve done it a hundred times." Frank had many adventures, loves and tragedies over his lifetime in Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Texas. Frank’s work here is done. He received an offer he could not refuse. His new assignment comes with a musical bonus, a reunion with family, friends, and hopefully some of his favorite musicians and cowboys, from which he will not be returning.
A memorial service will be held for family and friends. So remember life on earth is a short-term gig - make time for your loved ones - spread happiness among the living - say I love you more - spend less time hating.
In lieu of flowers, please make one unsolicited act of kindness to an unfortunate person who will not ask for your help in memory of Frank Gilchrist, because that is what he would do.