Francis W. Zukowski

Francis W. “Frank” Zukowski, 93, of Worcester, passed away in his home on Monday, October 16, 2017.  He was born November 8, 1923 in Worcester, son of Franciszek and Helena (Jankowska) Zukowski. He attended school in Worcester and graduated from Worcester Trade High as a machinist in 1942.  He attended Worcester Junior College, graduating cum laude in mechanical engineering in 1948.  He later received a Bachelor’s Degree from Northeastern University in Boston in 1953, with a BBA in Engineering and Industrial Management, with honors, and was a member of Sigma Epsilon Rho Honor Fraternity. He was employed at United States Steel Corp. in Worcester as a mechanical engineer before moving to Newport, RI, where he accepted a position with the U.S. Defense Dept., U.S. Navy, as a mechanical engineer at the Naval Education & Training Center.  His federal government service included engineering positions at Quonset Point Naval Air Station in N. Kingstown, RI from where he retired as a General Engineer in 1986.  He received awards for outstanding service while at the U.S. Navy in Newport.  Among his accomplishments was the design and installation of a simulator experimental torpedo launcher on Gould Island.  While employed at U.S. Steel Corp., the company received U.S. patents in his name for the design of machinery and the process for manufacturing of components of the M-14 rifle utilized by the U.S. Army. Frank and his wife, Marion studied for and passed exams for the State of MA and CT as real estate brokers.  They established an office in Mystic, CT under the name of Acorn Agency, and conducted business in CT, MA, and RI, advertising in New York as well as the New England areas. From 1971-75 Frank designed and built a ten room oceanfront home for his beloved wife Marion at Matunuck Point, RI where they resided until 1987, moving to Vero Beach, Florida.  Frank returned to Worcester in 2004, after the death of Marion in 2003. Frank is survived by three nieces and two nephews.  He was predeceased by his wife, Marion; four brothers and two sisters, Dr. Walter H., Benjamin, Stanislaw, Franciszek, Genevieve Vasalofsky and Edna Yurkiewicz. His Funeral and Calling Hours will be on Wednesday, October 18; with Calling Hours scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester; then departing in procession for a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. in Saint Joan of Arc Church, 570 Lincoln Street, Worcester.  Interment will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester, where his will lay beside his beloved wife Marion.