Frank Pomroy

Franklin Pierce Pomroy, 87, died early Saturday morning, June 11, 2011 in his home following a brief illness. He was the loving husband of Corinne L. (Anderson) Pomroy. Born in Jamaica Plain on Oct. 13, 1923, he was the son of the late Carl and Olive (Lurvey) Pomroy. He was raised and educated in Danvers and was a graduate of Holten High School. He later built his home in Boxford where he resided for the last 42 years. Frank enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 as a member of the H Company 2nd battalion First Marine Division. The Division sailed to the South Pacific on August 7, 1942 which was the initial 6 month assault against the Japanese occupied islands of Guadalcanal. The Guadalcanal campaign was the first major American Pacific campaign in World War II. His division’s next major operation was the landing on Peleliu during from September to November 1944. The First Marine Division were awarded presidential unit citations for both battles. A Purple Heart recipient, Frank was presented with the Medal of Valor in 1999 for his courage and bravery. His experience at the Pacific Front led him to become a consultant for Hugh Ambrose, author of the making of the HBO miniseries, The Pacific, which was also based upon the books authored by Eugene Sledge and his good friend Robert Leckie documenting the extraordinary experiences of fellow marines. Some of Frank’s stories of the war may be found online at http://www.witnesstowar.org/content/search/search.php?zoom_query=frank+pomroy Frank was an active member of the Topsfield American Legion, an active member of the Boxford Democratic Committee, delegate for the State Democratic Convention, and proud member of the Melbourne Australia Cricket Club. His love of travel took him to Australia several times over his life, ventured back to the Pacific Islands of Guadalcanal, Peleliu, Vanuatu, Fiji Islands, Normandy Beach, and also attended the Queen’s Jubilee in London, England in 2002. Frank was the regional sales manager for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, he owned and operated POM-SAV oil company and gas station in Danversport, as well as constructing several homes on the North Shore, Florida, and New Hampshire. He enjoyed spending his summers at his island lake house with his many friends and family in Millinocket, Maine. In honor of his patriotism and dedication to his community the flag pole that stands tall in the center of East Boxford will be a forever reminder of his dedication to his community and country. In addition to his wife of 64 years, he leaves his daughters Cathy Carr and her husband Philip of Cape Coral, Florida and Karen Nelson and husband Richard of Topsfield Massachusetts, his loving granddaughters Heather Pomroy Nelson and Brianna Marjorie Pomroy Nelson, his sister Ruth Pomroy Pigott of Manchester, CT and his brother Carl Pomroy and his wife Gloria of Manchester, NH, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Mervin Pomroy and his sister Marjorie Pomroy Rushworth. His Funeral Service will be celebrated on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 10:30a.m. in the First Church Congregational, 4 Georgetown Rd., Boxford. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery, Middleton. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 5-8p.m. in C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. Donations may be made in Frank’s memory to the 1st Marine Division Scholarship Fund, 410 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA 92054.