Joseph Frawley

Joseph Frawley - FRAWLEY, JOSEPH - passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 in Santa Rosa, CA, at age 87. Born in Inagh, County Clare, Ireland on January 10, 1925, to Michael and Susan Frawley; he was the seventh of nine children. Joe immigrated to the United States in 1949, to live with his uncle, Dennis Foudy, in San Francisco. In 1950-1952, Joe served in the Korean War, earning his citizenship as a part of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, Second "Indianhead" Division, surviving Heartbreak Ridge. He was deeply proud of being an American. When he returned to San Francisco, Joe met his wife of 36 years, Dorothy Fitzgerald, at a picnic. He and Dorothy spent many happy years together, first in San Francisco, then Pacifica and finally settling in Santa Rosa in 1966 with their four children. Joe owned a farrier business, shoeing horses throughout Sonoma County. He was also a member of the Retail Clerks Union, retiring after 22 years from Fiesta Markets. Several years after Dorothy passed away, Joe was blessed again with a happy marriage to Helen Dengler, his wife of 18 years. Joe was a man of strong faith and had a great passion to help the poor and needy in his community. He worked tirelessly for many years with the St. Vincent de Paul Society helping to feed and shelter local people in need. He worked as a Eucharistic Minister at Memorial Hospital for 20 years, and made thousands of visits to the sick and elderly both at the hospital and in rest homes in Santa Rosa and was a steadfast blood donor at the Blood Bank of the Redwoods. Joe was a committed and very involved parishioner at St Eugene"s Church and a Fourth Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid golfer and spent many happy hours walking the greens at Bennett Valley Golf Course. He was a member of SIRs, a talented gardener and he loved to travel, visiting many countries throughout the world. Joe was a long-time fan of the San Francisco Giants and the 49ers. He found the strength to watch one last game on TV" the winning game of the World Series. Joe will be remembered for his generosity, his great sense of humor, his love of family, and the occasional pint of Guinness. He is preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, daughter Bernadette, and son-in-law Jeff Edwards. Joe is survived by his wife Helen, his children Mary Sue Edwards of Santa Rosa, Kathy Webb (Mike) of Santa Rosa, Tom Frawley (Clara) of Fremont, and Dee Dee Comyn (Trevor) of Cambridge, England; four grandchildren, Scott and Julia Webb, and Joe and Davey Comyn; his stepson Bob Dengler (Denise) of Meridian, Mississippi and their son Kevin; his sister Teresa Hallinan and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation and thanks to the staff of Primrose and to Memorial Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care of our most beloved husband and father.