05/20/2026
Barney Frank was truly one of a kind. He used his top-notch intellect, quick wit, and deeply held belief in public service to give a voice to those too often unheard. Barney’s sharp critiques and verbal arrows were well known, and at times biting for those on the receiving end, but the thing I admired most was his authenticity. I always found it incredibly refreshing that in a world of poll-tested messaging and carefully planned prose, Congressman Frank was unapologetically himself, said what he meant, and called it as he saw it. He was a trailblazer in many ways, and was not afraid to be an imperfect human being who deeply valued public service and his ability to change the face of things in our Country, by sticking up for people and plainly calling out injustice. He did exactly that for our Congressional district, the Commonwealth, and our Nation and will be deeply missed.
Frank died Tuesday evening in his Ogunquit, Maine, home of complications from congestive heart failure. He was 86.
