FLORIDA, Mass. — Mr. Francis J. "Frank" Rivers, 100, of Florida died early Sunday morning, May 7, 2017, at his home.

He was born in North Adams on Sept. 27, 1916, a son of Joseph and Anna Brothers Rivers, and attended the former Notre Dame Elementary School and Drury High School.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the 167th General Hospital Detachment of the Army in the European Theater, including Normandy, from 1943 until his honorable discharge as a staff sergeant in 1946.

Frank worked as a firefighter with the North Adams Fire Department from 1946 until his retirement in 1972. Earlier, he had worked at the former Sprague Electric Co. and Hoosac Cotton Mill, both in North Adams.

He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, North Adams, and earlier, of the former Notre Dame du Sacre Coeur Church in North Adams. He was a member of Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion, North Adams, and was one of the charter members of North Adams Local 1781 of the International Association of Firefighters.

In his spare time, Frank also enjoyed woodworking and fishing.

He is survived by his wife of over 77 years, the former Agnes N. Guertin, whom he married on July 16, 1939; one son, Gary F. Rivers of North Adams; two grandsons, John G. Rivers and his wife, Nancy, of Washington, D.C., and Christopher D. Rivers and his wife, Jennifer, of Clifton Park, N.Y.; six great-grandchildren, including Brice, Andrew, Lauren, Hayley, Nicholas and Derek Rivers; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Joan (Lubowicz) Rivers, on Jan. 13, 2015; his brothers, William and Edmond Rivers; and by his sister, Edith Brule.

Funeral notice: The funeral will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at 9:45 a.m. from the Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St. Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, North Adams.

Burial will follow in Florida Church Cemetery, Florida, Mass. Calling hours are Wednesday, May 10, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.