Frank Kearns passes away of natural causes

DOWNEY – Downey resident Francis “Frank” Xavier Kearns passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on Sept. 29.

Born March 31, 1948, he was a New Englander who loved California, made it his home for 55 years, yet returned often to his roots back east. His formative years were in Orono, Maine, and Andover, Massachusetts. He was the oldest of seven children in an Irish Catholic family and authored his blog “SoCal Yankee.”

Frank met his wife Carol in Venice, California, in the early 1970s—a time of tumult, challenge, and change. These years defined who they became going forward and their marriage of over fifty years.

Frank was a “man for all seasons,” with a wide range of talent across the sciences and arts. He was a poet, an artist, a musician, a publisher, an engineer, a carpenter, a mechanic, and a computer whiz. Above all, he was a devoted husband and family man.

Throughout his life Frank touched scores of people who remember him as a loving soul who encouraged others to pursue their dreams. He was endlessly curious and expressed deep care for the world and its populations.

Frank graduated with a BS in Physics from Merrimack College, Andover, and later earned an MSEE from USC. He was a millwright at Bethlehem Steel for eleven years before the Vernon plant shut down, then hired on to Hughes Aircraft, where he specialized in optical engineering for twenty-four years.

Using weekends and vacation time, Frank remodeled a house with his own hands—tearing down a roof and walls, building foundation forms, putting up framing, running electrical wire, etc. His youthful experiences with cars and wild rides through country roads meant that he knew how to keep a clunker running.

But his skills weren’t limited to traditional crafts. He assembled his first home computer over forty years ago and transitioned easily into the new digital tools used for engineering. In his later years, he started a small publishing house, Los Nietos Press, to help friends in the literary community. He was meticulous with font and format, and created unique book covers in collaboration with the authors.

When his children were grown, Frank spent weekends studying oil painting and watercolor. He also started playing more music. Eventually he focused on the art form that gave him the most joy and meaning – poetry.

Frank wrote regularly, publishing two books of his own, “Circling Venice” and “Yearlings,” and was a member of various literary groups. He was president of the Long Beach Chapter of the California Writers Club, a member of the Writers Club of Whittier, and a regular participant in private workshops.

Most importantly, he supported other writers by publishing their work, attending poetry readings across the southland, and helping to host a monthly Downey event for five years with Lorine Parks, Poetry Matters.

Every book published through Los Nietos Press includes a statement that reflects Frank’s commitment and outlook on life: “Our purpose is to serve local writers so they may share their words with many, in the form of tangible books that can be held and read and passed on. This written art form is one way we realize our common bonds and help each other discover what is meaningful in life.”

Frank was active in his local art scene as well. He was a founding member of the Downey Arts Coalition in 2011, serving on the board for four years, and he was a strong supporter of the Downey Symphony Orchestra.

Being an avid cyclist, Frank made the hundred-mile trip to San Diego on his bike several times. He also enjoyed hiking the Sierras with Carol and daughters Amy and Natalie. Road trips were another favorite activity and he and Carol crossed the country by car together at least six times. They never ran out of things to talk about.

After retirement, Frank and Carol enjoyed playing music and tennis and exploring places that were not usually found in travel brochures. Together they attended week-long conferences on music cognition, cheered at Premier League soccer games in England, explored the historic cave paintings in Lascaux, France, and visited the wedding site of Carol’s grandparents in Biecz, Poland.

Frank is missed by many, including his in-laws, because he shared so much of himself. He stepped lovingly into the role of brother-in-law to Carol’s siblings, joining their adventures in the Sierras and Death Valley. A nephew described Frank as “having a delicate touch with people.” He always knew what to say to make people feel comfortable.

Frank is survived by his wife Carol, daughters Amy and Natalie (Scott), granddaughter Harper, sisters Mary (Bill), Catherine, Emily (Henry), Dorothy, brother Jeremiah (Nancy), and loving extended family.

Through myriad acts, big and small, Frank made the world a better place.