Franklin D. Hodson

A life-long resident of the city, Frank graduated from New Bedford Vocational High School. He was involved in athletics as a student, especially basketball and baseball. He continued to be an enthusiastic rooter at school games after his graduation. It was at one of these events that he met his future wife Carole Leucht. They married in 1960.

In the 1950s Frank served in the United States Army as a private with the 142nd Armed Signal Battalion and was stationed in Europe. After his discharge he embarked on a career in the telecommunications industry, first at New England Telephone, where he was employed for over three decades, and later for Village Telephone. Frank took great pride in his work. As a service technician he became known among business clients as the “go-to guy,” able to solve complex problems with ingenuity, professionalism and a smile. Frank was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America who especially enjoyed volunteering for its community service projects with the Special Olympics.

Music, gardening, bowling, shopping and tinkering around the house were chief among Frank’s many hobbies. He also enjoyed eating out and taking day trips with his family. Outgoing and gregarious, he was known as a talker who could be found at Mac’s Soda Bar every Thursday morning along with other retired telephone company friends.

Frank is survived by his wife; daughters Janice Hodson, Laurie Medeiros and her husband Steven, and Susan Travassos and her husband Mario, all of New Bedford; granddaughters Jessica Travassos of Dartmouth and Ava Travassos of New Bedford; great-grandchildren Christopher, Mason and Angelina Arruda; and his nieces and nephews. Frank was predeceased by his parents William and Alice (Toussaint) Hodson; sister Marion (Hodson) Munroe and brother-in-law Norman; and brothers William and Ernest Hodson. Frank’s family wishes to thank the staffs of Compassionate Care Hospice and Care One at New Bedford.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, February 7, 2020 at 11 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, 343 Tarkiln Hill Rd., New Bedford followed by burial in Pine Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday morning 8:30-10:30 a.m. in the ROCK FUNERAL HOME, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, MA 02745. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank’s memory to Special Olympics Massachusetts, Attn: Web Gifts, 1133 19th St. NW, 12th Floor, Washington D.C., 20036-3604 or www.specialolympics.org. For online tribute/directions www.rock-funeralhome.com.