August 17, 2024
Note to Readers: This is a longer version of the obituary published in the Boston Globe
Frank D. Hallberg Jr. of Hingham, formerly a longtime resident of Burlington, passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2024. He was 92.
Frank was born in Boston to Charlotte C. (Ullock) and Frank D. Hallberg and raised in Dorchester. He spent many summers in Chatham, New Brunswick at his grandmother’s home in the countryside. He attended Boston High School of Commerce and then enlisted in the United States Airforce. After serving in San Antonio, Texas, as a Senior Duplicating Device Operator he went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Interior Design at Boston University.
Frank worked first as an office space planner for American Mutual Insurance Company, where he later became Director of Real Estate. At American Mutual he met the love of his life, Joan “Joanie” Chace. The two married and settled in Burlington, where they would start a family and spend the remainder of their days together. After 20 years with American Mutual, Frank joined Keystone Investments as VP of General Services and worked for 20 years there before retiring in 1996.
Frank was an active community member in the town of Burlington. He was a Town Meeting Member, Chairman of the Burlington Republican Town Committee, a member of the Burlington High School Standing School Building Committee, and a chief fund raiser for the 1973 Boy Scout trip to the National Jamboree in Pennsylvania. For many winters, Frank chaperoned weekly recreation department trips to Big Bear Ski Area in New Hampshire (where he could often be found in the adults-only loft after 2 p.m.). As his children grew up, he led with his Burlington friends many father-son and father-daughter camping trips to the White Mountains.
Frank loved the Cape and the ocean and was an avid sailor. He was an active member of the Squantum Yacht Club for nearly 20 years, sailing his 22-foot O’Day “Drifter” with family and friends…and quite often drifting out there happily by himself. He was the yacht club treasurer and wrote the club’s monthly newsletter.
Frank was super handy and loved to create. He single-handedly built out the unfinished second floor of his Burlington home and designed and constructed a tool shed and a cocktail deck in his back yard. He spent countless hours in his basement workshop making home furnishings and decorations and for years crafted punny hand-made cards for Joanie and his grandkids on all the occasions. Frank was a true master of words and wit. No doubt, he was the funniest guy you’ve ever met.
Beloved husband of 55 years to the late Joan Hallberg (Chace). Devoted father to Mark Hallberg and his wife Ayako of Hingham, and Susan Connolly and her husband Neil of Hingham. Adoring grandfather to Kai, Ethan, Christine, and Kate. Loving brother to the late Shirley Saldutti and cherished son of the late Charlotte C. (Ullock) and the late Frank D. Hallberg. Also survived by far-flung nieces, nephews, and many, many others who lovingly called him Uncle Frank.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Frank may be made to Alzheimer’s Association., MA Chapter, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452.