Frank J. Wagner, 91, of Moreland St., passed away peacefully on Friday, October 31, 2014 after a brief illness. Frank is survived and will be lovingly missed by his wife of 66 years, Doris S. (Benedictis) Wagner; four children, Holly Brazel of Marshfield, Dennis Wagner and his wife, Linda; Nancy Chanson and her husband, Scott; and Cheryl Kassira and her husband, Firas, all of Worcester; a sister, Mary Saunier of Revere; 7 grandchildren, Scott Wagner and his wife Jamie, Matt and Christopher Arsenault, Carrie McCarthy and her husband Kevin, Tessa Brazel, Lauren and Jonathan Kassira; 3 great-grandchildren, Cooper, Sean, and Cassidy; two sisters-in-law, Josephine Wagner of Shrewsbury and Anita Birtz of Worcester; nephews and nieces. Frank is predeceased by five brothers, Walter, Frederick, John, Joseph, and Louis Wagner.

Frank was born in Meredith, New Hampshire, the son of Anthony and Stephia (Wrohouski) Wagner. He was raised in Blackstone, Massachusetts, and later lived in Shrewsbury before moving to Worcester in 1948, when he married the “love of his life,” Doris S. Benedictis.

Frank was a 38 year veteran firefighter for the City of Worcester, retiring in 1987. If you lived in the Tatnuck Square area, it was not unusual to see Frank driving Engine #9 out of the Tatnuck Fire Station, where he spent most of his career. He was a member of the Worcester Firefighters’ Association, and Worcester County Retired Police and Firefighters’ Association.

He was a member of Christ the King Church and was an officer at St. Bernard’s Knights of Columbus Council in Worcester. He was also a past charter member of the Victor Quaranta American Legion Post in Shrewsbury.

Frank honorably served his country as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, participating in the procurement of Okinawa in World War II.

Frank loved following his favorite sports teams especially his beloved Red Sox. He treasured spending time with his family and particularly enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sporting events. Frank was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend and will be remembered for his kind, unassuming, and selfless nature.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 4, at Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester, followed by interment with military honors at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the
American Heart Association, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden.