Honorable Francis J. Larkin

DUE TO THE IMPENDING SNOW STORM THE FUNERAL SERVICES FOR HONORABLE FRANCIS J. LARKIN HAVE BEEN CHANGED !!!!!

The Honorable Francis J. Larkin, 92, of Hopedale MA died on January 16th at the Countryside Healthcare of Milford after a period of declining health. He was the beloved husband of Virginia (Fitzpatrick) Larkin for over 68 years and raised five children (Mary Larkin of Harwich Port, MA, Frank Larkin (Julie) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Tricia Murray of Harwich, MA, Chris Larkin (Janet) of Westborough, and John Larkin (Alison) of Hopedale and 10 grandchildren, Conor, Colleen, Kerry, Danny, Owen, Finn, Aidan, Quinn, Jack, and Liam. His daughter, Ann Christine predeceased him in 1964. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Nancy Larkin and many nieces and nephews.

Judge Larkin grew up in Milford, the son of Francis E. and Gertrude (Driscoll) Larkin, the eldest of three brothers, Edward and James, who predeceased him. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1950. Judge Larkin graduated from Holy Cross in 1954and later served as the president of the Holy Cross Varsity Club from 2000 to 2002.

Judge Larkin earned his JD and LLM from Georgetown University Law Center. While there, he served on the Georgetown Law Journal and was a member of the team which won the National Moot Court Competition. He also served as the President of the Georgetown Student Bar Association and the National President of the American Law Students Association.

Upon graduation, he served in the Army's JAG Corp for three years and continued as a reservist until 1990, retiring with the rank of Colonel. After leaving the JAG Corp, he served as Law Clerk on the 1st Circuit. He then joined Boston College Law School where he held the roles of professor, Associate Dean and Acting Dean.

Judge Larkin, a lifelong Democrat whose political hero was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was active in local, state and federal politics throughout the 1960s and attended the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago as a delegate for Hubert Humphrey.

Judge Larkin was appointed a Special Justice to the Newton District Court in 1970, then from 1972 - 1992, Judge Larkin served as the Presiding Justice of Milford District Court. He also served on the Appellate Division of the MA District Court, and by special designation, on the Superior Court.

Throughout his career, Judge Larkin was active in the American Bar Association, serving in the ABA's House of Delegates, Chair of the ABA Law Day USA Committee, and Chair of the ABA's Committee on Public Understanding of the Law. He also served as the Chairman of the Editorial Board of the ABA publications, "Judges Journal" and "Experience" magazine for over twenty-five years. In 2001, Judge Larkin received the ABA's Judicial Administration's first Lifetime Achievement Award.

Upon retiring from the Bench, he joined Southern New England School of Law serving as a Dean, Chancellor, and Law Professor. He led the school in earning its ABA accreditation and in becoming UMASS School of Law.

Judge Larkin was always active in the community. He served as the Town Moderator in Hopedale from 1993 to 2018. He proudly led and later participated in the Memorial Day parades in Hopedale, including this past May.

A member of Sacred Heart Church in Hopedale, Judge Larkin served for many years on Catholic Charities Board of Directors and on many initiatives for the Worcester Diocese. He also served as a Trustee of the Milford Regional Medical Center and was an active supporter of the Claflin Hill Orchestra. Judge and Mrs. Larkin were named Knight and Dame of the Order of Malta for their faithful provision of outstanding service to church and community. He also served for thirty years on the Arthur E. Coia Scholarship and Education Fund for New England Laborers.

Judge Larkin was a man who believed in the redemptive power of second (and third) chances. When others turned away, he would lean in and support someone in their time of need. He loved connecting with his family and others through sports, music, and reading newspapers and literature. He relished being an active part of his community.

His funeral will be held SATURDAY (January 31st) at 9am from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in Sacred Heart Church, 187 Hopedale Street, Hopedale MA. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in Hopedale Village Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held FRIDAY (January 30th) from 4pm to 7pm at the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the College of the Holy Cross. Donations will be earmarked for financial aid to students. Donations can be made using link below or via check. In both cases, please make contributions in memory of “Francis Larkin ‘54”. www.holycross.edu/give    or to   The College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street ADV, Worcester MA 01610.

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