Francis “Frank” O'Shaughnessy

Former Potomac, MD resident and Systems Analyst with the Departments of Interior and Energy, Francis Joseph O’Shaughnessy passed away peacefully on August 29, 2020 at the age of 93.

Frank was born on March 9, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY to Irish immigrants Anna and Michael O’Shaughnessy. He graduated from Columbia University with a degree in accounting in 1950 and worked at Price Waterhouse.

In 1954, Frank moved to San Francisco where he met his future wife, Iris Moser and earned his Civil Engineering degree at the University of California, Berkeley. After graduating from Berkeley, Frank worked at the Federal Power Commission.

Frank and Iris married in 1957 and started a family, having four children.

The family moved to suburban Walnut Creek, and Frank became an adept DIYer, seeding a vegetable garden, constructing patios and walkways, and building furniture. Frank became deeply involved in a local movement opposing increased commercial zoning, speaking at City Council meetings, and raising neighborhood awareness by enlisting the children to deliver informational flyers door to door.

In 1970, Frank accepted a position at the Department of the Interior and relocated the family to Potomac, Maryland. Frank embarked on many improvement projects in their new home, and was very involved in raising his children, helping them with schoolwork, cheerfully driving them to sports games, concerts, and friends’ homes.

For fun, Frank enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, attending horse racing events, and wintering in Florida. After retiring from the Department of Energy in 1993, Frank and Iris traveled more so he could spend time with his extended family. Frank and Iris were loving grandparents and Frank remained devoted to his grandchildren as they grew up.

Frank’s insight, caring nature, and dry sense of humor will forever be valued by all who knew him. Donations in his memory may be made to the Dementia Society of America ( ).

The family will hold a memorial service at a later date.

His beloved wife of 62 years, Iris Moser O’Shaughnessy, pre-deceased Frank in 2019. He is survived by his four children, Megan Keough, Michael, Maeve O’Meara, and Annabelle Berger, and eight grandchildren, Yasmine, Adam, John, Kevin, Donald, Caroline, Matthew and Alison.