Francis Michael Yans

Francis Michael “Frank” Yans, a Concord resident since 1959, passed away on June 21 at Care Dimensions Hospice in Lincoln. He was 90 years old.

Born in New York City in 1935, Frank was raised in Mamaroneck, NY, alongside his sisters, Marilyn (now Mrs. R.T. Hanlon) and Virginia Yans-McLaughlin. He was an active Boy Scout and proudly earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

Frank graduated from Archbishop Stepinac High School and began his college education at the University of Notre Dame, later transferring to MIT. While a student there, he met his wife, Molly Cutter. They were married for 68 years.

A true workaholic, Frank began his career at Nuclear Metals before founding his own company, Metalonics. He went on to work for Kawecki Berylco and later joined Arthur D. Little, where he rose to the position of Vice President and served on the Board of Directors. His work brought him around the globe and gave him a lifetime of stories and experiences.

Above all, Frank was devoted to his family. He raised his son, Francis Osgood “Ossie” Yans, and later served as guardian to his two cherished granddaughters, Casey-Lynne (now Mrs. Justin Wilford) and Molly-Marie (now Mrs. William Bennett). He delighted in sharing with them his love of adventure—whether skiing, mountain climbing, fly fishing, or exploring the White Mountains, his favorite place.

Frank was passionate about photography, capturing moments of natural beauty and family joy. He loved the thrill of skiing, including helicopter skiing in Utah, and had a fondness for fast cars, especially his MG and TR3 convertibles. A man of many talents, he also briefly flew planes and was a skilled fly fisherman, tying his own flies and traveling to Alaska and Maine for fishing and canoeing trips. Frank also invented and patented “Slip Safe,” an innovation that improved ski binding safety.

Frank squeezed the most he possibly could out of life and left a lasting impact on everyone he crossed paths with.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, July 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Concord Funeral Home, Concord, MA. A burial service will take place at a later date in New Hampshire.

In place of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to:
Archbishop Stepinac High School
950 Mamaroneck Avenue,
White Plains, NY 10605
or
Wounded Warrior Project
P.O. Box 758516
Topeka, KS 66675-8516
www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742   978-369-3388    www.concordfuneral.com