Frank

Gaviani Jr.

Frank (Frankie) Gaviani, Jr. passed away at home on November 9, 2026. He leaves his beloved wife of 75 years, Virginia (Valle), his daughter Marilyn Malcolmson and son-in-law David, grandchildren Steven Malcolmson and his wife Jennifer Dabrowski and Craig Malcolmson and his wife Katie as well as his great grandchildren Gavin, Colleen, and Christopher and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Leatrice Flynn.

Frank, the son of the late Frank Sr. and Mary (Corea) Gaviani, was born in Boston on January 8, 1930. He was a member of the Boston English High School class of 1947 and earned his undergraduate degree in music education at Boston University in 1951. After graduation he was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves and later the 215th Army National Guard Band. Together with his dad, he ran private music schools across New England. Concurrently Frank was on the faculty of Chamberlayne Jr. College and the University of Lowell where he taught music theory and gave private lessons on the accordion. He was a longtime member of the ATAM – Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts - where he not only helped foster the love of music in generations of children but also formed lifelong friendships with the other members of the association.

In 1971 he began a second but related career as an elementary and middle school instrumental teacher and middle school band director in the Whitman Public Schools where he worked until his retirement. The whole town would turn out on Veterans Day and Memorial Day to see “Mr. G” and his kids march in the parades and cheer them on. Their band concerts rivaled those of any professional symphony orchestra.

A man of deep faith, Frank’s heart was full of love for God and for his wife, whom he met in 1943. They began dating in 1945 and married on June 17, 1951 after Frank’s college graduation. He adored his daughter, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who called him Papa and Puppy. A lifelong learner and educator, he enjoyed passing on his wisdom and wit, both of which he had in abundance, to family, friends, colleagues, and students. The remark made to him most often by everyone who knew him was, “Frank you are a really funny guy. You always make us laugh.” His legacy of humor and kindness will live on not only through his own family but also through the many students whose lives he touched.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Monday 11/16/2026 from 9:30-11:30 AM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Braintree on Monday at 12 PM. Burial in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree.

In lieu of flowers contributions in Frank’s memory may be made to Old Colony Hospice, 321 Manley St., West Bridgewater, MA 02379 or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN.