Franklin passed away Friday, April 6, 2018 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was 85 years of age. Born in Boston, he is the son of the late Joseph W. and Estelle L. (Herrett) Cooper. Franklin was raised in the Neponset section of Dorchester where the rite of passage for young teenage boys was to swim in the Neponset River. In grammar school, Frank followed closely the events of World War II and was very active in sports through high school. He graduated Dorchester High School in 1949, and then went to work in the wholesale dry goods business.

Having been born at the height of the Great Depression, it was at the height of the Korean War when Frank was drafted into the Army, on December 9, 1952. After basic at Fort Breckenridge, KY, he received orders for Korea. There was a brief stopover in Sasibo, Japan, then Frank was assigned to the 45th Infantry in Korea, five months before hostilities ceased and a truce was signed on July 27, 1953. His division was turned into a garrison and in early 1954 the 45th was deactivated and returned to the U.S. but not having enough points to be rotated, Frank was reassigned to the 300th Armored Field Artillery, then the 7th Infantry. He had to wait until October before coming home, was released from active duty with the rank of corporal and assigned to inactive reserve for 6 years. The highlight of his time in Korea was the signing of the truce. By then, he had been awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

Just as his time with the reserves was expiring, Frank returned to active duty in April 1960. After refresher basic training at Fort Dix, Frank attended the Adjutant General's School at Fort Benjamin Harrison for a four month course in stenography and military administration. During the next 12 years, Frank was in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the U.S.   He did two tours in France (Orleans and Paris), two tours in Thailand (Bangkok and Stattahip), and two tours in Vietnam (Qui Nhon and Chu Lai). There was a short tour in Brussels, Belgium, in support of NATO/SHAPE, and stateside assignments at Fort Lewis, Washington, Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Fort Devens.

On his first tour in Thailand, assigned to DCHJUSMAC, Frank had the honors of serving under Major General Reuben H. Tucker, III, who was one of the original Merrill's Marauders - China, India, and Burma. Frank met General William C. Westmoreland when he was a 3-star. In Belgium with SHAPE, he wore civilian clothes and lived on the local economy. It was during his first tour in France when he became a member of the American Legion, Paris Post 1. In July 1972, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. After discharge, Frank was employed by the Federal Government, the U.S. Army as a civilian and numerous non-profit organizations. A year after he retired in 1997, he moved to the Soldier's Home to live.

Frank is a late member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, 45th Infantry Division Association, 179th Infantry Regiment Association. He is also a late charter member of the World War II Memorial Society and the Korean War Veterans of America. At the Soldier's Home, he was a dependable deliverer of the mail for many years and still worked that detail when he was needed. He will be greatly missed by all of the staff and residents of the Chelsea Soldier's Home.

Franklin is the beloved uncle of Stephan M. Griffin and his wife Patricia of Rockland.  He is also lovingly survived by his 2 nephews, Daniel Griffin and Matthew Griffin, and many cousins.  Frank was predeceased by his brother Wendell Cooper.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:  A Funeral Service will be conducted at the St. Michael Archangel Chapel Cardinal Cushing Pavilion at the Chelsea Soldier's Home 91 Crest Ave. Chelsea on Tuesday, April 10 at 11:00 A.M. An hour is visitation will precede the service from 10:00 - 11:00 A.M.  Services will conclude with a 2:15 P.M. Interment at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.