Francis “Frank” George O’Meara, 73, loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, friend and true paragon passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2019.

Frank was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Dec. 8, 1945, the fourth of five children born to Benedict P. and Bernadette J. O’Meara (Sheridan). After spending his early years playing stick ball and sneaking into Ebbets Field in Brooklyn to watch baseball games, Frank moved to New Jersey to live with his brother, Benedict. Benny was by then on his way to becoming an internationally-known equestrian. He worked with Benny in the show horse business as a rider and trainer, which took Frank to Virginia and then on his own to Southern California, where he would meet the love of his life and wife of 52 years, Janice (Maybee). He returned briefly to Middleburg, Va. to help run Benny’s farm after his brother’s tragic death in a plane crash. This event was a devastating blow to Frank, who idolized Benny. Losing his beloved brother at such a young age gave Frank a heightened appreciation for family and for how precious time is — a spirit he would carry with him all his life. Frank continued to be involved with horses, even continuing to visit the Middleburg farm after it was sold, but in the early 70s changed his career to finance. He and Janice settled in Fairfield, Conn., and had two sons, Ben and Sean. He spent the last four decades as a financial advisor with Janney Montgomery Scott in Darien, Conn., where he was recognized for his outstanding impact and achievement many times over the years. The themes of his life were borne of his core values: family, friends and loyalty. Examples of these tenets are countless and woven through the way he lived his life every single day. He delighted in photos and stories of his sons and grandchildren, in simple dinners or visits, in finding the perfect gift for a loved one’s birthday, in every holiday and excuse to celebrate. He was the driving force behind annual family golf outings, a tradition we’ll continue in his honor but will now never be quite the same. No one was more identified with the family summer home on Long Lake, in Bridgton, than Frank. He loved Maine and spent as much time as he could each summer at the lake, convincing family and friends to do the same and to prioritize and cherish time spent together. A sunset boat cruise with family in Maine was closest to his “happy place.”

Frank was predeceased by his parents and his older brother, Benedict, Jr.

He is survived by his beautiful wife of 52 years, Janice (Maybee); two sons, Benedict Ryan of Los Angeles, Calif. and Sean Francis of New York City; five very well-loved grandchildren; two brothers, Gerard of Fredericksburg, Va. and Edward of Bradenton, Fla.; his sister, Mary Jane O’Meara Sanders of Burlington, Vt.; numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. He will be truly missed and never forgotten.

There was a wake on Wednesday, April 24, at Spear Miller Funeral Home in Fairfield, Conn. Services will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Fairfield, Conn., on Thursday, April 25, at 4 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 55 Wine Bar — 55 Miller Street, Fairfield, Conn.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Horses in the Hood in Janice and Frank’s honor at www.horsesinthehood.org