LAWRENCE — Frank Coady was known to lend a hand or believe in people “even when they didn’t believe in themselves,” his daughter said.
A new foundation in his memory, the Francis D. Coady Foundation, will provide to those in need, support treatment advances and research for Alzheimer’s disease and more.
Coady, 74, the owner of Coady’s Garage & Towing Service of 139 Marston St., died on Oct. 18 of Alzheimer’s. A resident of Seabrook Beach, New Hampshire, he was well known for both his towing work and philanthropy.
“Our overarching goal is to inspire others to give back,” said Coady’s daughter, Claudia Jenkins, who is running the foundation with her mother, Christina Coady, and Coady’s niece, Kate Callahan.
“He would give freely and silently,” Jenkins said. “When he heard through the grapevine that someone was struggling he would give to them.”
Through work with individuals and community groups, the foundation aims to keep Coady’s generous spirit alive. Planning for a variety of events, including “Touch a Truck” and golf tournament are already underway.
Jenkins noted an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is overwhelming for an individual, family and caregivers. The foundation hopes to provide needed support, which can be challenging to organize and costly.
She pointed to a group Coady’s family referred to as his “13 Saints.” They are 13 individuals from various backgrounds, “all walks to life,” who collaborated to care for Coady at the end of his life. Some were certified nursing assistants, two were teachers, another was real estate agent. Several had cared for relatives with memory-related disorders.
“They took care of my Dad but they also took care of us…This allowed him to live in the world he built until he was unable to,” Jenkins said.
But not everyone has the resources to do that and the foundation can help, she said.
“We are doing exactly what he did for so many years,” she said, explaining the foundation’s scope.
A North Andover native, Coady’s first job was as a young teen at Simmie’s Garage in Salisbury.
Coady’s family, in a social media post announcing his death, said, “They say ‘the meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away.’ Frank will continue to give in more ways than we can measure.”
In September 2024, Coady was inducted into the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame. The honor recognized his professional milestones and philanthropic dedication.
“For over 50 years Frank Coady has been an innovator, proven his exemplary dedication to the towing industry, exuded leadership to everyone, and has certainly had a lasting effect on the towing industry and thousands of professionals with whom he has crossed paths,” according to the Hall of Fame induction announcement.
Coady was the oldest of seven children. He attended area Catholic schools and then pleaded with his parents to allow him to attend the Lawrence Vocational School.
In a 2024 interview with The Eagle-Tribune, Coady said he dedicated his life to the profession he loves. He said the Hall of Fame honor represented his personal journey and the collaborative efforts of his incredible team.
“Both my towing family and my immediate family, who have put up with my long hours, missing holidays and events due to roadside emergencies, have also earned this award,” he said. “They have both been by my side from the beginning. It’s been my honor to be able to do what I love and also be able to give back to so many, helping in any way I can.”
The foundation’s website, francisdcoadyfoundation.org, is expected to go live this weekend,
Contributions can also be made to The Francis D. Coady Foundation, c/o 139 Marston St., Lawrence, MA, 01841.
Follow staff reporter Jill Harmacinski on Twitter/X @EagleTribJill and Threads at jillyharma.