1933 - 2026
He was the beloved husband of Virginia (Fitzpatrick) Larkin for over 68 years and together they raised five children (Mary Larkin of Harwich Port, MA, Frank Larkin (Julie) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Tricia Murray of Harwich, MA, Chris Larkin (Janet) of Westborough, and John Larkin (Alison) of Hopedale). Judge Larkin was also a devoted grandfather to 10 grandchildren, Conor, Colleen, Kerry, Danny, Owen, Finn, Aidan, Quinn, Jack, and Liam. He was predeceased by his daughter, Ann Christine, who passed away in 1964. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Nancy Larkin and many nieces and nephews.
Judge Larkin grew up in Milford, the son of Francis E. and Gertrude (Driscoll) Larkin, and was the eldest of three brothers, Edward and James, who predeceased him. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1950, went on to graduate from Holy Cross in 1954, and later served as the president of the Holy Cross Varsity Club from 2000 to 2002.
He continued his education at Georgetown University Law Center, where he earned his JD and LLM. During that time, he served on the Georgetown Law Journal and was a member of the team which won the National Moot Court Competition. His leadership extended further as President of the Georgetown Student Bar Association and the National President of the American Law Students Association.
Following law school, he served in the Army's JAG Corp for three years and continued as a reservist until 1990, retiring with the rank of Colonel. After leaving active service, he served as Law Clerk on the 1st Circuit before joining Boston College Law School, where he held the roles of professor, Associate Dean and Acting Dean.
A lifelong Democrat whose political hero was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Judge Larkin remained deeply engaged in public life. He was active in local, state and federal politics throughout the 1960s and attended the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago as a delegate for Hubert Humphrey.
His judicial career began when Judge Larkin was appointed a Special Justice to the Newton District Court in 1970. From 1972 – 1992, he served as the Presiding Justice of Milford District Court. He also served on the Appellate Division of the MA District Court, and by special designation, on the Superior Court.
Throughout his career, Judge Larkin was highly active within the legal profession. He served in the American Bar Association, including roles in the ABA's House of Delegates, as Chair of the ABA Law Day USA Committee, and Chair of the ABA's Committee on Public Understanding of the Law. He also served as Chairman of the Editorial Board of the ABA publications, “Judges Journal” and “Experience” magazine for over twenty-five years. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, in 2001, Judge Larkin received the ABA's Judicial Administration's first Lifetime Achievement Award.
After retiring from the bench, he joined Southern New England School of Law serving as a Dean, Chancellor, and Law Professor, where he led the school in earning its ABA accreditation and in becoming UMASS School of Law.
Judge Larkin remained deeply connected to his hometown. He served as the Town Moderator in Hopedale from 1993 to 2018, and proudly led and later participated in the Memorial Day parades in Hopedale, including this past May.
A devoted member of Sacred Heart Church in Hopedale, Judge Larkin served for many years on Catholic Charities Board of Directors and on many initiatives for the Worcester Diocese. He also served as a Trustee of the Milford Regional Medical Center, was an active supporter of the Claflin Hill Orchestra, and, along with his wife, was named Knight and Dame of the Order of Malta. Additionally, he served for thirty years on the Arthur E. Coia Scholarship and Education Fund for New England Laborers.
Judge Larkin was known as a man who believed in the redemptive power of second (and third) chances. When others turned away, he would lean in and support someone in their time of need. He found joy in connecting with his family and others through sports, music, and reading newspapers and literature, and relished being an active part of his community.
His funeral will be held Monday (January 26th) at 10am from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am in Sacred Heart Church, 187 Hopedale Street, Hopedale MA. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in Hopedale Village Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Sunday (January 25th) from 2pm to 5pm at the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the College of the Holy Cross, with contributions earmarked for financial aid to students and made in memory of “Francis Larkin ’54”, either online at www.holycross.edu/give or by mail to The College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street ADV, Worcester MA 01610.
