Remembering Frank Musker

We were saddened to learn about the death of Frank Musker, one of Abbeyfield’s longest-serving and most influential volunteers.

Over 28 years, Frank made an untold difference to the lives of countless residents, particularly at Abbeyfield House in Ulverston and others in the North-West. Always understating his important role, he described his work in Ulverston to us before he passed:

“In my view, what I do is keep the building up to scratch from a maintenance point of view by correcting or repairing small defects as they appear, before they become major expensive issues. In addition, I try to help all residents with minor problems, and to treat them as equal when listening to their problems or perceived problems. My wife, Jean, is the one who prepares the monthly activities, mostly for Friday afternoons, in which my input or participation is sometimes required. I prepare the monthly programme and distribute it to the residents. Very occasionally we do teas for the residents, but this only means putting out the individual tea plates prepared by the staff and making the tea and pouring it out.”

As well as helping at Abbeyfield House, Frank was a well-respected member of the local community in Ulverston and helped to raise Abbeyfield House’s profile in the area. Not wanting to miss an opportunity to welcome others into the Abbeyfield Family, he would regularly invite older people from the community to experience a coffee morning or activity, who would typically then enquire about becoming a resident themselves.

Described by those who knew him as “the most courteous, personable and professional man anyone could ever wish to meet,” Frank was the recipient of Abbeyfield’s Royal Patron’s Award – the highest honour we can bestow upon a volunteer – in 2021.

Forever humble, Frank said it was a shock to receive the award. “Although I can think of other people who are just as, or possibly more, deserving than me,” he said, “it is of course a great accolade that I am honoured to accept.”

Frank has legendary status at Abbeyfield for his dedication to our organisation and devotion to our residents, whose lives he undoubtedly changed for the better. He was a remarkable man, and he will be sorely missed by many.