Franklin G. Whitehead, 87, of Brockton, formerly of New Bedford, died Thursday July 27, 2006 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center after a long illness. He was the husband of the late Katherine Anne (O'Connor) Whitehead.
Born in New Bedford on February 25, 1919, he was a loving son to the late Edward and Adelaide (Lomas) Whitehead.
Mr. Whitehead, a skilled mason, operated E.F. Whitehead Inc. for many years. He later was employed at MCI-Bridgewater in maintenance where he trained many men in masonry.
Blessed with a great mechanical aptitude, he could fix anything from cars to electronics. He enjoyed spending time with his family and boating at the cottage that he built at Silver Shell Beach in Fairhaven. He was very musical and could play many instruments by ear. Cribbage was his game. He was a devoted father and grandfather. Franklin was a fair and honest man.
On December 7, 1941, Mr. Whitehead enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving for four years as a hydraulics specialist and gunner's mate and shipping out on the Fletcher-Class destroyer USS Conway. He was involved in 13 invasions while serving in the Pacific campaign and was awarded the World War II Victory medal, American Campaign medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign medal and the Philippine Liberation medal. He felt honored to have served his country.
Survivors include two sons, Paul Whitehead, and his wife Suzanne, of Rochester, and James Whitehead, and his wife Joanne, of New Bedford; a daughter, Joan Pepin, and her husband David, of Rochester; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Cyr, Annie Bizarro, Matthew and John Pepin, and Bethany, Daniel and Jillian Whitehead; a great-grandson, Jack Pepin; a brother, Gordon Whitehead of Florida; and a niece, Gail Calvao.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 10 AM in Our Lady of Fatima Church. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours Sunday 5-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.