CUMBERLAND
Francis V. Geary Jr., 82, of Cumberland, passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024. He was the beloved husband of Audrey D. (Duffy) Geary, and they had been married for the past 52 years.

Born in Pawtucket, he was the son of the late Francis V. and Ruth (Coleman) Geary. He had resided in Cumberland since 1976, previously living in Pawtucket.

Frank loved spending time at his beach house in Little Compton fishing, clamming, quahogging, searching for sea glass and celebrating the summer with an annual clambake.  He was a talented artist who enjoyed woodworking, painting, and sculpting, He was a lifelong Red Sox and Patriots fan.  He was a founding member of Cumberlandfest where he enjoyed volunteering for many years.  He also loved helping coach his two sons.

Frank was employed by Valley Gas, a job he loved, for over 30 years and proudly served as the union vice president, local 427.

An environmentalist, he served on the Cumberland Conservation Commision, eventually becoming its chairperson for many years. He worked to raise funds to acquire hundreds of acres of open space in town. He also worked and raised money for a long time to remove dams to create fish ladders along the Blackstone River to restore fish migrations. Unfortunately he did not see it happen. He was integral in raising the grants for the town to buy the Historic Metcalf-Franklin Farm.  He was the first president of the farm and served in that role for several years.  The farm continues to thrive to this day and has donated tens of thousands of pounds to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

Those who knew him will remember his outgoing personality, easy-going nature, and loyalty as a friend. In addition to his beloved wife Audrey, he leaves behind his two children, Conor Geary of Harrisville and Quinn Geary and his wife Meredith of Cumberland; his grandchildren, Hazel Geary and Colson Geary; his sisters, Barbara Kelly of Rumford and Susan Turnquist of Narragansett; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was the brother of the late Nancy Jean Fox.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to Frank's Life Celebration, with Visiting Hours on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 4 to 7 PM, continuing on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 10 AM in the J. J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road, Rt. 122, Cumberland. A procession  to the Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 AM in the Historic St. Joseph Church, Mendon Road, Cumberland. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence, RI 02907, or at rifoodbank.org/donate.