Francis (Frank) Martin Dooley III of Norfolk, died on Nov. 14 at the age of 93. Frank was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Suzanne. Frank is survived by his four daughters, Helen (husband Douglas), of Providence, R.I.; Anne (husband Ned), of Wellesley, Mass.; Sarah (husband Tim), of Longmeadow, Mass.; and Martha, of Norfolk, along with his 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

Born in New Haven, Conn., on March 21, 1929, to Frank M. Dooley Jr. and Marion Madden Dooley, Frank grew up on the Connecticut shore. An accomplished swimmer from an early age, he was a three-time Collegiate All-American swimmer for Ohio State University and won a gold medal at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. Frank’s passion for competitive swimming continued throughout his life, culminating in his being named one of the Top Ten Masters Swimmers at age 80.

While studying at Ohio State, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Following graduation, he served as a first lieutenant during the Korean War. He was stationed in Korea and Japan for a year and served as a legal officer for the First Marine Air Wing.

Following his military service, Frank returned to Connecticut, taking a job with the Aetna Insurance Company. Under the G.I. Bill, he began his law studies at the University of Connecticut Law School. During this time, he met Suzanne and married her in 1958 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Norfolk. Frank graduated from law school in 1962.

Frank practiced law in Lakeville and Hartford for 40 years. He started his law practice in Hartford and then moved it to Sharon. He formed his own law firm and later merged with Shipman & Goodwin of Hartford, becoming partner. Frank retired from the practice of law at 80. During his professional career, Frank served a member of the Board of Governors and House of Delegates for the Connecticut Bar Association. Governor Ella Grasso named him the first commissioner of Connecticut’s Victims’ Commission. He was also a member of the State Police Commission.

Frank was actively involved in local politics for the entirety of his professional career. He ran for state senate in 1976, losing to the incumbent in a tight race. He served twice as a member of the Democratic State Convention Platform Committee under Governor Grasso. He retired as chairman of the Norfolk Democratic Committee after serving for 35 years. Frank was a committed family man, dedicated to his wife, daughters and grandchildren. He was known for his dry wit and appreciated a good story. His was a full life, well lived. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Dec. 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Montano Shea Funeral Home on 922 Main Street, Winsted. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 10 a.m. at St. Martin of Tours in Norfolk. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Foundation for Norfolk Living, P.O. Box 2, Norfolk, CT 06058. For information and guestbook, please visit www.montano-shea.com.