Francis A. “Frank” McNeirney, 75, a writer, editor and publications-communications specialist who founded a nonprofit organization to oppose implementation of the death penalty, died Dec. 1 at his home in Bethesda. He died after a heart attack, said his wife, Ellen McNeirney.
Mr. McNeirney was employed by trade magazines and associations in New York before moving to this area in 1982 to work for the National Beer Wholesalers Association. He later worked for the Central Station Alarm Association and, from 2004 until two years ago, part time as an editor and writer with the American Association of Blood Banks.
Twenty years ago, with his wife, he founded the nonprofit organization Catholics Against Capital Punishment. The organization was later asked by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to help craft its policy on the death penalty.
Francis Adrian McNeirney was born in the New York City borough of Queens. In 1957, he graduated from St. John’s University in New York. In 2001, he and his wife received the President’s Medal from St. John’s for their work in opposing implementation of the death penalty.
Mr. McNeirney was a train enthusiast and an amateur pianist who often played at singalongs for informal gatherings of family and friends.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Ellen Becher McNeirney of Bethesda; three children, Mary McNeirney of Hampton Bays, N.Y., Jennifer Lehnertz of Manassas and John McNeirney of Raleigh, N.C.; and four grandchildren.
— Bart Barnes
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