O’DOWD, Francis (Frank)

Absolutely heartbroken to hear of the passing of our beloved friend Frank, so many good times had singing and playing together. So devastating for Delores and family, still cannot believe it’s real.

Raise your glass one final time,
For one who lived so well,
Let stories flow like finest wine,
And tales of triumph tell.
For Irish hearts don’t break, they say,
They simply overflow,
With love that lasts beyond the day,
When loved ones have to go.
So drink deep to memories sweet,
And laugh through misty eyes,
For somewhere down some golden street,
Love never truly dies.

Heartfelt condolences to Dolores and family.
The culture and traditions of The Celts survives through music, stories and song, telling myths & legends of ancestors influencing hearts of today
Frank’s humour, friendship and love of music a gift shared
& never forgotten. Heartfelt sympathy to all Family in Australia and Ireland

Frank, you never hesitated with the generosity of your skills and encouragement of the Little Orchestra of Abundance project. We remember a stellar contribution to the Boolarra Folk Festival, the wider Gippsland music scene and internationally at Fleadh, that resonates far and wide.

You lived your values quietly and well – kindness was always in abundance…..Enjoy the craic. 🍀

Sincere condolences to Dolores and the O’Dowd family. Frank was a highly respected colleague for over 30 years. An absolute pleasure to have known and worked with.

Deepest condolences to Dolores and family, Frank was a friend, work colleague and mentor. Rest well my friend, your generosity of spirit will live on through your family and will never be forgotten 💔 RIP

Rest in peace Frank, your songs were lovely and will be sorely missed 🎸
Condolences to all the family
Anne Foster

Our sincere condolences go to Delores and family, both here and in Ireland. Sadly, Frank will go a Wild Roving no more.
We shared such a special musical friendship. A sad loss to all.
Heartfelt love and best wishes.
Stuck & Carolyn.

Dear Delores, I’m so sorry to read of your husband Franks passing. Sending heartfelt condolences to you and your beautiful family.
Caroline Grant and family.

A gem of a human that always made me feel completely welcomed and included in the sessions. Will miss his warmth, intellect and music immensely.

Deepest condolences to all his family and musical friends.

Condolences to Dolores and family. A huge loss to all. Sending lots of love and prayers. RIP Frank.

Heartfelt condolences to Dolores, David, Lisa, Sarah, Frank jnr, your grandchildren, Josie & all the family in Ireland. A devoted family man, true gentleman & friend who will be very missed by all who knew & loved him; one in a million. Sending love & strength at this difficult time.

Deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to Dolores and family. So sad and shocked to hear of the passing of Frank. Such a kind and respected man, Frank will be missed by all who knew him.
Rest in peace.

The Traralgon city soccer club extends our most sincere condolences to Dolores, Lisa, David , Sarah, Frank jr and extended family. Our association with the family has been incredibly long and significant . Apart from playing many, many games at the club, Frank was a great mentor to many. A true gentleman, a man of natural empathy and compassion. Frank was just the most amazing and positive man. He will be greatly missed by so many.
Vale Frank.

My sincere condolences to Dolores and the O”dowd family , Frank was a very highly respected work colleague and mentor , My thoughts and prayers are with you at this devastating time , may all the beautiful memories help ease some of the pain, RIP Frank xx

My deepest sympathy to all Frank’s family both in Australia and Ireland

My sincere sympathy to you Dolores and all your family on Frankies untimely passing g on Sept 9th. May he now rest in eternal peace. I will remember you all at mass on 25th September.

Deepest sympathy Dolores and family on the sudden and sad passing of Frankie. May he rest in peace.

Dear Frank,
You were a friend and a brother to me when we arrived in Australia back in 2017. Your kindness and friendship protected me in a land I knew little about.
We continued our friendship even after my return to Sri Lanka.
I wanted to visit Australia again and meet you.
I miss you so much. Even though we were 5000 miles away, we were still friends.
Take care my friend, until I see you again!

To the O’dowd family, our deepest sympathies go out to you all. I was lucky enough to have gotten to know Frank quite well during our playing days at the Traralgon City Soccer Club. A man of great integrity and honesty that I had a huge amount of respect for. Fantastic left foot as well, by the way! Rest in peace Frank.
John and Kate Kamphuis

Our sincere condolences to dolores and family and josie and family on the sad loss of frank a dear friend for many years.We are all heartbroken we have wonderful memories of our times together.Sending you all our love and prayers.Rest in peace frank.Forever in our thoughts.

To Josie, Delores and all the family. I am very sorry to hear about the loss of Frankie, my heartfelt thoughts are with you all and I say a prayer for you. I know how difficult it is to hear this news. You will always be in my thoughts, god bless. Auntie Shirley xxx

To Dolores, Lisa, David, Frank Jr, Sarah, Josie and the extended O’Dowd family, my heartfelt condolences to you all. Frankie was such a lovely person and always visited Ballinvalley when home. My thoughts are with you all at this very sad time.

Rest in Peace Frankie A true gentleman. Sincere Condolences to Dolores and children, extended family, relatives and friends. Thinking of you all at tis very sad time.

So sorry to hear of Frankie’s untimely passing Dolores my sympathy to you and family a great colleague to work and ply with a very quick and dry wit you’d want to be quick off the mark I can remember him playing a right hand guitar how he did it only he knows a gentleman may he rest in peace

Our deepest condolences to Dolores, David,Lisa,Sarah,Frank jnr and all the family here and at home in Ireland
“Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us every day,
unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.”

Deepest sympathy to Dolores and the Dowd family on the sudden passing of Frank .. May God comfort you all at this sad time .I had wonderful memories of Frank back in Ireland. May he Rest In Eternal Peace. ….. Eddie Mc Monagle

Deepest Sympathy Dolores and family on the untimely death of Frank.
May he rest in eternal peace.

Noreen Delaney St Fintans staff.

Deepest Sympathy tDolores and Family .On the very sad passing of Frankie .In our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time .Rest in peace Frankie 🙏

Delores and family, so sorry to hear of the sudden passing of Frankie, he was always good company and a very passionate Westmeath man, may he rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Dolores and all The Family on recent passing of your beloved Frankie and wonderful Dad and Granddad.May Frankie RIP.Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.

To the man that had it all really, because the loving, devoted relationship he had with his family, his music family, and his friends made him the richest man in the world – and it wasn’t just luck that this occurred. It was because he spent every waking moment devoting himself to that.This is what came through very clearly in his work ethic too. Frank used to drop by the office every afternoon to pick up Dolores on his way through from his office, and wait patiently for her to finish off whatever she was doing for someone else, and quite simply, that is the true essence of who he was. He called a spade a spade, did not tolerate fools, made a mountain of music, and played a lot of soccer. His love of life was also evident in the latter stage of his career working with younger people, a job he cherished. There is so much more that could be said of Frank, but in the interest of brevity, I will simply say, give them hell up there Frank, and make some bloody good music, ready for us all when we meet again.

My deepest sympathy to Dolores and family on the sad passing of Frank, My he rest in peace.

Beautiful man with a wonderful life journey, funny (witty) ,dedicated to family and his nursing career
We will miss him
RIP Frankie

Condolences to Dolores and family. A true gentleman.

Sincere sympathy to you Dolores and family on the untimely passing of your beloved Frankie. May he rest in peace.
I have enjoyed being FB friends with Frankie for a few years as he always had interesting posts about all your travels and his music.

Gippsland Acoustic Music Club is very saddened to hear of the loss of Frank. The t-shirt in this photo says it all: Frank was a great supporter of GAMC both onstage (with the Mollys and in various duos) and in the audience appreciating and encouraging other musicians. He will be dearly missed. We send our condolences to Delores and family at this very sad time.

Condolences to Dolores and the O,dowd family on the passing of Frank a man full of energy and vitality always good for a chat will be sadly missed all our love Steve Jill Williams and family

Condolences to Dolores and family may his music and kindness live on you will be sadly missed by so many was a pleasure working with you and enjoying your music.
Yvonne Rogers

Deepest condolences to Dolores and family on the passing of Frank, we find it difficult to understand how this could be, we’ve only known you both for a short time and felt it would be for much longer after we met at your home to discuss your journey northbound in your new motor home. We were looking forward to catching up on your return home to hear about your adventures, and also the jam session I was to have with Frank. Will sadly be missed.
Tom & Nancy Beveridge

My heart hurts for Dolores, Lisa, Dave, Little Frank and Sarah. Big Frank was always a great support to our family on so many levels over the years. Your ear when we needed it and words of wisdom as well as a cheeky comment meant more than you knew. Ill cherish the support and encouragement you gave me, especially after mums passing.
Rest easy Big Frank

To Dolores and family,
So sorry to hear the sudden loss of Frank. Hard to believe.
He was always the gentleman with wit and his gorgeous accent.
Music and family was his passion. Taken way too soon.
Sincere condolences to you. With love, Kat Kershaw

We cannot imagine the pain and heartache you’re feeling. Losing someone so close is so hard. Dolores Frank was such a wonderful man, very gentle and understanding. We pray that as the days, months and years pass, you find peace in the beautiful memories you created together as a family. Frank will always be missed but his songs will stay forever.

Frank was a person of goodness
Our lives were better and easier because Frank was with us. In our hardest times Frank gently guided us through our struggles. We are richer for having Frank walk with us as our dearest friend.
Gerry, Annemarie Clarke and family

Frank was a wonderful friend and and highly respected work colleague who we have had the pleasure of knowing and working with for many years.We loved his humour his great ability to laugh and see the funny side, his talent for music and the fact that he was a devoted husband father and grandfather. He was a wonderful man
Condolences to Dolores, David, Lisa, Sarah, Frank jnr, your grandchildren, Josie & all the family in Ireland. Thinking of all of you at this very sad time. Shayne and Helen Collier

Dear Dolores and family, sending my condolences on the sudden passing of Frank, so very sad. I’m sure you have wonderful memories. Lots of love Sonya

Frank I only caught up with you and Delores at dads funeral and you gave me a hug and told me take care, also said you were only a phone call away.I were yours and Delores baby sitter and I will cherish all the memories of the O’Dowd family always there to lend a hand. Im in shock and can’t believe it, wishing it was only a dream. Rest in peace mate.

We were deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Franks sudden passing. He was not only a valued colleague but also a wonderful friend, and we feel truly grateful for the time we shared together. His warmth, humour, and kindness touched everyone who knew him and his loss will be felt deeply by all of us.
Please accept our sincere condolences. Our thoughts are with Dolores, his family and all who were fortunate enough to know him during this very difficult time.

Sincere condolences to Dolores and Frankies sons & daughters. I am proud to have been related to and known such a wonderful gentleman.

Dearest Dolores and Family
Please accept my deepest condolences for Frank’s sudden demise.
His love for Family, music and travel will live forever
Thru his friends and family.
Since meeting over 13 yrs ago, Frank always stayed in touch.
He shared his children’s weddings. Grandchildren births and achievements.
Stayed in touch when I got sick.
I was so happy that he was doing his dream trip. Driving the country with Dolores.
I looked forward to his posts.
Fly high, Frank. Say hi to Dennis when you meet up in Heaven.
You will be so missed.

So sorry to hear of Frankie’s passing. A great character and colleague , sincere sympathy to you all. May he rest in peace.

To Delores and family
Sending our love and we are thinking of you.
Such a loss of a wonderful and talented man.
Glenys and Graeme Marriott

Frank was a tremendous person and talent and fondly remember playing soccer against him as a young lad. He was highly respected by many and a family man who done well and will be sadly missed by his family and many friends. Huge respect for a gentleman of the world game .
Manny Gelagotis

Dolores, Lisa, David, Frank Jr, Sarah and Josie, I was so saddened to hear of your heartbreaking loss. Frankie was such a lovely man. He always paid Mam and Dad a visit when he was home and they loved to see him. Thinking of you all at this very sad and difficult time.

Deepest to Dolores and family, and his extended family on your sad loss.
Barry Mc Gill and family Portlaoise.

Dolores & family, words cannot describe the shock of losing a person as special as ‘your Frank’.
Frank was a very gentle, caring person, always concerned about his loved ones & his friends. He had a lovely smile & often a story to share, which would usually have us all laughing.!
We will miss you Frank, thank you for your love & encouragement over the years.
Our love & thoughts are with you Dolores & all your family & loved ones.

Our Deepest sympathy to Dolores and family on the sad passing of Frankie.May his gentle soul Rest in Peace.

Condolences to all of the O’Dowd family on the sudden passing of Frank. We were part of the Bairnsdale CAMHS team and worked with Frank as our manager. I have fond memories of being interviewed by Frank, many years ago now, and as I struggled with one of the interview questions Frank patiently tried to to guide me and eventually answered the question himself, looked at me and said ” I think that is what you were trying to say” to which I answered “yes” and the interview ended with a lot of hilarity. He will be missed. Rest in peace, Frank.
Carol Lancaster, Kerrianne Crane & Pamela Black

Condolences to Dolores and all the O’Dowd family. I was very saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Frank. He was my manager at LRH CAMHS for only a short while, as he commenced his long service leave within months of my starting work there but I could tell he was an amazing manager who was passionate about providing a good service to children, adolescents and their families from the service he had set up.
RIP
Viviane

My sincere condolences to Dolores and all your family on Frankies untimely passing. Frankie and I were in the class of 77′ at St Fintans Hospital, Portlaoise. Frankie loved his soccer and had a silky left foot. I also remember Frankie driving many of our class out to the Thatch in Portarlington to enjoy the music. He loved the music and the crack. My thoughts are with you all at this sad time. May he rest peacefully.

Sending all our love to Dolores and family. Frank will be forever in our hearts. Rest in Peace xxx

Sincere condolences to Dolores and family. A true gentleman who has gone too soon. RIP Frank

Sincere condolences to Dolores and family on the very sad passing of Frank. Fond memories. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

To Dolores & family in Australia & Ireland

Our deepest sympathy to you all on the sudden passing of Frankie.
He will never be forgotten
Margaret Nick & Cara
Mullingar Co Westmeath

Dear Delores and Family,

Our Deepest Sincere Condolences.

Frank; So friendly, supportive, welcoming and talented.

Whenever we attended music and football events his lovely smiling face was so often the first things you saw and the welcome, noticed from afar.

Our shared junior Gippsland representative team trips, with many other families, are a special memory.

Musically wonderful in so many ways. Frank’s rendition of, ‘Fields of Gold’, is just one example of his special way to paint a picture with his music, timing, phrasing and song.

Simon, Henriette, Scott, Naomi and Josh Eaton

Sincere condolences Dolores and family on the loss of Frankie. Thinking of you all in my prayers.

Words feel too small to hold the weight of our sorrow when we heard of the passing of our beloved friend and colleague. Dear Dolores and family, we want you to know how deeply our hearts aches for you. The loss of Frank is not just passing of a man but quiet dimming of a light that warms so many lives. He was a gentleman with great sense of humour, his shared wisdom during our challenging moments created a sense of hope. The time spent with him to dine together, work together and his music remain an inspiration. Though not here right now, we believe his spirit lives on. Heartfelt condolences to you all.
Bosede and Matthew Adetifa

My condolences to Delores and family. A good Man, gone too soon. RIP Frank.X.

Dear Dolores, Lisa, David, Frank Jr, Sarah and extended family,

My deepest condolences during such a sad time. Frank was a dear colleague. Working with Frank was marked by humour, kindness and a sense of true belonging. I knew the world was a better place with Frank in it. Frank was a man of compassion, integrity, and great humour, with his greatest superpower being connection. Frank had the ability to make anyone feel seen and heard by just being in his presence.

His love for his family and his pride in his children and grandchildren featured frequently in conversations. What a gift he was to all who knew and loved him.

I like to imagine Frank resting in a deck chair in a beautiful place surrounded by old and new friends and saying “How’s the serenity? So much serenity”

Until we meet again Frank xxx

Death Is Nothing At All
Henry Scott-Holland.

Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Nothing has happened.

Everything remains exactly as it was.
I am I, and you are you,
and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is absolute and unbroken continuity.
What is this death but a negligible accident?

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just round the corner.

All is well.
Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Dolores and the O’Dowd family.

Frank,
You were a really wonderful boss, confidante, friend, and mentor. You have definitely left your mark on me and Sean. I’m so very sad you have left your family, and friends way too early. But sometimes we don’t get a say. I guess you were needed else where. You will be missed, but never forgotten. Your life here seems to be too be one of giving with your wisdom, live if life and music.
Rest well. Love Sue and Sean O’Donohue

Sincere condolences to Dolores and family.
Treasured with a love beyond all feeling; missed with a grief beyond all tears.

To Dolores and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you today as you , as you farewell Frankie. We knowi he willl always be in your hearts and thoughts and connected in spirit.
Many your many cherisded mermories help you in this time of grief.
The Donoghues. Mullingar

Deepest condolences to Dolores and the O’Dowd family. Frank will be greatly missed. He was a wonderful work colleague and always had a story to tell to make us smile. I will miss his sense of humour and caring nature. Vale Frank.

R.I.P Frank,
My condolences to all the family

Sincere condolences to Delores and family on the sudden death of your loved husband, father and grandfather Frank. It is difficult to understand such a sudden loss. Thinking of you all at this sad time.

Frank was such a special man, and inspiration to me.
I met Frank playing in Irish tune sessions in Gippsland, where he made me feel very welcome and encouraged from our first meeting.
I would look forward with extra excitement to a session or gig if I knew Frank would be there – because I loved witnessing his tasteful, original, understated yet masterful guitar playing, and experiencing his gentle but infectious enthusiasm, and his affirming and uplifting encouragemenr.
Seeing Frank was always a pleasure. Being in his warm, lively, generous presence, and being bouyed by his curiosity and zest for life, was a gift – one that I’m inspired to try and share with others.
Thank you Frank, I hope the craic is good wherever you are.

Deepest sympathy to Dolores and family on the sad passing of Frankie. We have fond memories of Frankie in St, Fintans, he was a great colleague and friend. May he Rest in Peace.