Bob Franke obit

Just weeks after retiring, local folk musician struck by motorcycle, dies in Guatemala

 

He was not on the list.

Local folk musician Bob Franke, 78, died Oct. 16 after being struck by a motorcycle in Antigua, Guatemala, where he and his wife had retired within the last few weeks. Franke survived surgery after the accident but then died of a heart attack.

Franke, who lived on the North Shore for decades, performed at Me&Thee Music in Marblehead many times and even started his own music coffee house, called Saturday Night in Marblehead, at St. Andrew’s Church in the late 1980s or early ’90s.

Me&Thee founder Anthony Silva knew Franke for 40 years and wrote a tribute to his friend.

“We are so saddened to hear of Bob Franke’s death in Guatemala, where he and his wife Joan recently moved,” Silva wrote. “He was a pillar of our folk community with a deep understanding of the human condition. His songs brought tears to our eyes because he wrote from the heart and soul and wasn’t afraid to probe deeply. Loss, pain, healing, forgiveness, renewal. His songs were mini sermons that stayed with you, and they will stay with us forever.”

Silva had seen Franke about a month ago, when Franke attended a concert at Me&Thee.

Franke’s wife addressed his fans and friends on Facebook: “He wanted you all to know that he loved his life, and he loved that you shared it with him. Hearing how his words touched your lives gave him meaning and purpose. He wrote his songs to heal himself, but he was gladdened to hear that they healed so many of you as well. He loved everyone in his Facebook audience and was glad to share his life with you. God bless you, Bob. I will love you for the rest of my life.”

Franke wrote and performed music for 55 years, playing in concert halls, clubs and on street corners across America. The Boston Music Awards named him Outstanding Folk Act in 1990. He had written about 200 songs and released a dozen albums.

He also composed an Easter cantata that was performed at St. Andrew’s Church for more than 40 years.

Watch Franke’s 2010 performance at Me&Thee HERE.