Marblehead Police Mourn Retired Patrol Officer

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead police are remembering retired patrol officer Frank MacIver, who served the department for 31 years before retiring in 1993, and was also the town's harbormaster for 15 years.

"Only a handful of the current members of the police force worked with Frank so the information that follows is a blend of our recollections combined with the family’s heartfelt tribute to him," Marblehead police posted in a tribute on their Facebook page announcing his death. "For the few of us left here who worked with him, his passing has touched us all."

MacIver was 84 years old.

A Rhode Island native and hockey player at Mount Saint Charles, he served in the U.S. Air Force for four years — including a tour in Okinawa, Japan — before coming to work at the Marblehead Police Department in 1962 until his retirement in 1993.

"Frank spent 31 years on the Marblehead Police Department providing safety to the entire community, smiles, conversation and humor," Marblehead police said in the tribute. "Frank was one of the last officers in this department to use a whistle when directing traffic on school crossing posts and traffic details. One officer remembers as a child, he was Frank’s "helper" at the Glover School traffic post and would look forward to seeing him.

"While Frank worked all of the department's shifts, he is probably remembered best as the friendly, neighborhood beat cop walking foot patrol in the down town area."

MacIver also served as the town's harbormaster for 15 years and worked with his son's tree service.

"Frank had a heart the size of Marblehead," the tribute said. "He always had a big smile and a precisely detailed story to tell for every occasion. If you needed a laugh, a shoulder to lean on, help with a project or simply wanted some friendship, he was there for you. Frank had an uncanny ability to connect with everyone in the community no matter what their profession or where they were in life's journey. If you wanted to share some company, you could find him at the local coffee shop or, later in the day at the Gerry 5."

Marblehead police said the family is holding a private funeral service due to the coronavirus pandemic, but that notes of remembrance through Murphy's Funeral Home on Gregory Street are appreciated at this time. Police said a celebration of life is planned for a later date.