Franklin D. ‘Frank’ Gahan

Franklin D. “Frank” Gahan, age 83, of Port Washington, Wis., passed away peacefully after a yearlong battle with brain cancer on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, at home with his family by his side.

He was born on Nov. 4, 1936, in Port Washington to Raymond and Alice Blumenberg Gahan Sr.  

Frank attended St. Mary’s Parochial School and graduated from Port Washington High School. He would later study theology at St. Lawrence Seminary in Mount Calvary, Wis., for a few years.  

Frank would return to Port Washington, taking work as a mason. He continued down that path until his retirement in 1998.

Frank was a proud member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) Local 8 of Milwaukee.  

A solid family man, Frank gave of his time and talents. In his youth, he was an avid softball player in city leagues.  He spent many years coaching shot put and discus for Nicolet and Port Washington High School track teams.

He was not only a coach but a role model for his athletes, and he was proud of their accomplishments on and off the field.  His hard work and perseverance was passed down to his children and grandchildren.

Faith was very important to him. He will be remembered for teaching Catholic Religious Education (CRE) over the years and serving as an adult acolyte for many funerals at St. Mary’s Church.

Frank is survived by his wife Joanne; his children Julie (Alfredo Jr.) Lopez of Port Washington, Kevin (Kim Chi) Gahan of Richfield, Daniel (Cassandra) Gahan of the Town of Cedarburg and Gemma Duran of Port Washington; his grandchildren Kyle (Sherrine) Carini, Al (Shaundra) Lopez III, Sarah Carini, Allison Lopez, Rachel, Naomi, Grace and Andrew Gahan and Angelina and Eva Duran; his siblings Lucille (the late William) Ikner of Milwaukee, Rosemary (the late Robert) Mudek of Duluth and Ray (Barb) Gahan of West Bend; Joanne’s siblings Wallace (Marjorie) Morrell and Roger (Ruth) Morrell; brother-in-law Paul (the late Yvonne) Westhoff Sr.; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.

He was preceded in death by his sisters Marge Gahan Istre and Ruth Gahan Jaquish and his brother John Gahan.

We celebrated Frank’s life with a Mass at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, at St. John XXIII Catholic Parish, St. Mary’s Church, 451 N. Johnson St., Port Washington.  The Reverend Patrick Wendt was the celebrant.  

The family received relatives and friends at Poole Funeral Home/Crematory, 203 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington, Tuesday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.  

Interment took place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Port Washington.

Memorials can be made in Frank Gahan’s name to the Seraphic Mass Association (Seraphic Mass Association, 5217 Butler St., Ste. 100, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, (877) 737-9050, email@seraphicmass.org).

Information and condolences are available at www.poolefh.com or (262) 284-4431.