Visitation will take place Friday, Dec. 22 from 4-8 p.m. at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose, Mass. The procession from the funeral home will begin at 8:45 am. on Saturday, Dec. 23, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield, Mass. at 10 a.m.
Francis BallBall spent more than 30 years as a Physical Education teacher and coach at Melrose High School, coaching wrestling, football, and track. In Ball's 15 years as a head wrestling coach, his teams won 14 Middlesex league titles. Many of his former wrestlers have reached out to him over the years to let him know that he had such a positive influence on their lives, according to his here. That same tribute also stated, "A coach to the end, he critiqued a video of his grandson wrestling 2 days before he passed."
Prior to launching his coaching/teaching career at Melrose High, Ball graduated from Brookline High School in 1953, then graduated from Springfield College in 1954. After Springfield, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged after 4 years of service.
Ball is a member of the Melrose High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Massachusetts Wrestling Hall of Fame. In addition, he was welcomed into the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003 for Lifetime Service to Wrestling.
In 2005, Ball had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He survived surgery and treatment only to see the cancer return 2 years later. He fought through his chemotherapy treatment once again to live for another decade.
Ball is survived by his wife of 55 years, Viola Claire, and three children and grandchildren, as well as a brother, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, individuals wishing to honor Frank Ball may make a contribution to the charity of their choice.
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