SUNSET BEACH — Francis Richard McCarron, 70, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2017. Frank was born May 13, 1946, to Gertrude Quinn and Gerald Richard McCarron in Newton, Mass.
He graduated in 1964 from Our Lady’s High School in Newton, Mass. Upon graduation, Frank served two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Army, First Air Calvary Division. In 1970, he married Sandra Wells Ryder.
Frank received a B.S. in engineering, magna cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts and an M.S. in civil engineering with honors from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In 1975, Frank moved to the Washington D.C., area to work for the Federal Department of Transportation, where he developed and led several major mass transit programs across the country. He designed and instituted the guidance for transportation programs, which are currently utilized. After retiring in 2001 from the federal government, Frank became a consultant on the transit systems’ implementation of the compliance and oversight program which he created. He finally retired in 2014.
In 2006, Frank and Sandi moved to Sunset Beach, N.C., where he enjoyed playing golf, his 1961 Corvette, going to the beach with his grandchildren, playing pool at the Sunset Beach pier, cooking, and a good glass of chardonnay. He showed exceptional kindness and compassion to all family and friends and never missed an opportunity to crack a joke.
He showed his love to family and friends through his photography and took great pleasure in capturing and sharing the significant moments in people’s lives. He was always up for a spontaneous road trip to a variety of locations, including historical sites, wineries and local eateries.
Frank is survived by his loving and supportive wife of 46 years, Sandi; three children including his sons, Chris (Lenie) McCarron and Craig McCarron (Jennifer), and daughter, Megan (Joe) Garcia; six grandchildren, Ellie, Andrew, Charlotte and Ryder McCarron and Alexandra and Jessica Garcia; brother, Charles McCarron; and sisters, Mary-Lou Mayfield and Geraldine McCarron.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 29, at Brunswick Funeral Service, 5229 Ocean Highway W., Shallotte. A reception will follow at the Sandpiper Bay Residence’s Center, 710 Sandpiper Bay Drive, Sunset Beach.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Duke Cancer Institute.