Francis R. Mackey

FRANCIS R. MACKEY August 28, 1941 – February 6, 2017 Frank Mackey, age 75, of Springfield, VA, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2017 surrounded by the comfort of his family. Frank was raised in Creskill, NJ where he was an excellent student athlete. Standing 6'5" Frank was a powerhouse in baseball, basketball and recruited by Notre Dame to play football. He had a life-long passion for science and technology and studied electrical engineering as an undergraduate. Frank began his 30 year-long career in law enforcement as an officer in Bergen County where he also served as a volunteer firefighter. In the 1970's he was selected to become a federal officer and one of the first U.S. Sky Marshalls protecting our citizens against terrorists. After accruing 500, 000 miles on commercial airlines, Frank was assigned to instruct at the Sky Marshal School at Fort Belvoir and was later promoted to Sky Marshal headquarters in Washington DC. Frank's keen interest in technology and surveillance compelled him to take a position as a Special Agent with U.S. Customs (now Homeland Security). While stationed in Boston, he met his wife Kate and became father to Frank, Sam and Deri. Following a promotion in 1982, Frank was transferred to U.S. headquarters in Washington, DC where he spent the remainder of his career. He also enjoyed his time as an instructor at The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA. One of Frank's proudest achievements was as a founding member and the first president of The National Technical Investigators Association (NATIA), an organization comprised of thousands of law enforcement and intelligence officers who provide technical operations, surveillance activities and scientific support for hundreds of federal, state, and local agencies across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Although a life undercover could be stressful, Frank was a good-natured, thoughtful man that would always return home with gifts and t-shirts for his kids declaring where he was but never sharing the burden of his work with his family. Frank was active in the community, participating in the Neighborhood Watch program and coaching his children's sports teams. Frank was an Amateur Radio (HAM) enthusiast; he was the State Emergency Communications Coordinator for Virginia, and also provided communication support for the Marine Core Marathon for many years. Frank retired from the U.S. Customs Service, Office of Investigations as a Senior Special Agent and National Program Manager of Technical Operations. Frank was preceded in death by his mother and father Muriel and John Mackey. He leaves to mourn his cherished wife Kate Mackey, his proud and loving children, Frank Smith and his wife Liesl, Sam Collingwood and his wife Beth, and his daughter Derith Collingwood. Frank was the dear brother to Carole Mazzola and her husband Kim, Kathleen Carle and her husband Ron and Laurel DiPirro and her husband Jim. He is survived by his Grandchildren Sam, Devan, Frank, Christopher, Aislyn and Shane as well as several cousins and nephews. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Memorial Service on February 24th @ 1:00 pm at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Drive, Alexandria, VA 22315. We welcome you to come at noon to celebrate his life with us, socialize and enjoy a memorial video. There will be a reception to follow at Fiona's Irish Pub, 5810 Kingstowne Center, Alexandria, VA 22315. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank's name to HEREOS, Inc. an organization that honors the supreme sacrifice made by law enforcement officers and firefighters who give their lives in the line of duty while ensuring the safety of citizens in the greater Washington area. www.heroes.org 1200 29th St N.W. Washington, D.C. 20007

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Francis R. Mackey

August 28, 1941 - February 6, 2017