Gruff exterior masked a heart of gold

NORTH READING — Frank S. Chochrek, 79, of North Reading and formerly of Woburn, died Monday, Dec. 28, 2015 at Winchester Hospital. Born in Cambridge on July 23, 1936, he was the son of the late Thomas and Anna (Ferus) Chochrek.

He attended Cambridge High and Latin. Frank owned and operated his own business, Polar Replacement Windows. He was a patent holder for a unique shade bracket for replacement window installation. He had been a resident of North Reading for the past 30 years and he attended St. Theresa Church.

Frank had a gruff exterior with a heart of gold. He was a generous, sweet, kind and a caring person. He enjoyed golf, bowling, the Red Sox and bird watching.

Family members include his loving wife of 59 years, Lois (Egan) Chochrek; sons, Michael Chochrek and his wife Marie of Salisbury and Thomas Chochrek and his wife Donna of St. Petersburg, Fla.; daughters, Cheryl Chochrek and her husband Bill Schiek of Georgetown, Sandra Graham of Wells, Maine, Wendy Chochrek of North Reading and Lisa Chochrek and her companion Michael Ryan of Wakefield; 10 grandchildren, three great–grandchildren and one great–great–grandchild. He was predeceased by five brothers and one sister.

His funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading on Thursday, Dec. 31 at 8:45 a.m., followed by a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Theresa Church, 63 Winter St. (Rt. 62), North Reading.  Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis TN 38101-9908. www. croswellfuneralhome.com.