Frank Bartholomew Duchesne Jr., dedicated volunteer
Frank Bartholomew Duchesne Jr., 86, of Bethany Beach, formerly of Silver Spring, Md., passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at home with family by his side.
He was born in Washington, D.C., son of the late Frank Bartholomew and Theodora Ann (Miller) Duchesne. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 1957-63. Frank was a graduate of The Catholic University of America with a bachelor of science in civil engineering, lettering in baseball and track and field.
Frank worked as a sales engineer for the same steel company in the Washington, D.C. area for 34 years. He served on the board of directors of Associated Builders and Contractors Metro Chapter, was an active volunteer at St. Michael’s Catholic Church and School, Silver Spring, and Mount Carmel House Homeless Shelter, Washington D.C., serving on the board of directors prior to moving to Bethany Beach. Frank worked as a vice president with W. R. Crowley Builders before starting his own consulting business, where he managed the construction of the Bethany Beach Town Hall, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Most Blessed Sacrament School, as well as other projects in the area. He was a member of Saint Ann Catholic Church in Bethany Beach, and as a volunteer oversaw the construction of the new St. Ann’s Rectory and the Mission Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Frankford.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Emily D. McGrail; and two brothers, Edmund and John Duchesne. Frank was married to his loving wife of 64 years, Patricia May (Ratcliffe) Duchesne; father to Mary D. (Steve) Pinick of Chanhassen, Minn., Frank B. Duchesne III (Pat) of Hendersonville, Tenn., William J. Duchesne (Charlotte) of Ottawa, Ontario, Kathleen D. (Keith) Simpson of Bethany Beach, and Patricia D. (Garrick) Racz of Middletown, Md.; and 11 grandchildren, Carlee (Danny), Elise, Scott, Casey, Nicko (Lindsey), Beau, Amy (Austin), Caitlin, Benjamin, Jess, and Daniel. Also, he will be missed by so many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and longtime friends he was blessed to have in his life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 3, at St. Ann Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Pkwy., Bethany Beach. Visitation with family will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be held immediately following the ceremony at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Dagsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Frank’s name to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, or The Rosa Health Center, 10 N. Front St., Georgetown, DE 19947.
Online condolences may be made by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.
