WORCESTER, Mass. — A well-known Worcester philanthropist, Francis R. Carroll, has died at 89.

“He was a committed community member," Mayor Joseph Petty said. "He changed people's lives for the better; big contributor both in politics and the community. I want to give my condolences to the family, his wife and children.”

“He is a man who loved this country, loved his faith, love his community, loved his employees, and more importantly, loved his family," his son, Brian Carroll, said.

Brian called his father a patriot and a remarkable man.

William Moore called Carroll a friend and mentor.

“I was kind of expecting it," Moore said. "But you hope you never got that call in to receive it last night, I was just kind of sad that we lost Frank.”

Together they worked on Project New Hope to assist veterans. Just this year, Carroll nominated Moore to be commander of the Vernon Hill American Legion Post where Carroll had been post commander. The letter hangs on the wall at Project New Hope in Worcester.

Moore said while a lot of memories come to mind, he thinks of how Carroll spearheaded the making of Worcester’s Korean War Memorial and helped families of those serving in Vietnam.

“He got those Gold Star moms together and they built the hospital over in Vietnam while the Vietnam War was the war was going on, and it's called the American Hospital," Moore said. "And to this day, that hospital is still being utilized.”

As a Navy veteran, Carroll’s lasting impact goes beyond the veteran community as he founded the Small Business Service Bureau in Worcester to help meet the needs of businesses across the country.

“Whenever there was a need, he would say, 'how can I help,'" Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Timothy Murray said. "And that was really almost, you know, up until days he passed away, he was always doing outreach, engaging, talking to people."

Fr. John Madden said Carroll’s legacy is all over the city of Worcester, including the creation of the St. Francis Xavier Center Food for the Poor at St. John’s. But it was the small, caring things he’ll remember about his friend.

“He did amazing things. We have this building because of him, you know, all kind of amazing things; the Korean (memorial) — big, big stuff," Madden said. "But his real gift was that that small personal and interaction with others, particularly those who were most in need."

And in the words of Carroll...

“He stated, ‘Nothing gets done by one person. It's done by a group of volunteers, many who remain nameless. It's all about people getting together,'" Moore read. "And that's, you know, that's something to live by. He was never above you or below you. I mean, he was just a friend and that's what I'll always remember of Frank. Just a kind soul.”

“They were never difficult shoes to try to follow, because you don't have to," Brian Carroll said. "You can just walk alongside of him and go along for the adventure.”

Carroll’s son says now the mission is to continue to help those around us as he did.

“He’s quite a remarkable man. And I think not only will the city miss him, but his employees here will miss him, and the more importantly I will and the rest of my family," Carroll said. "He's a giant and I think it's been a wonderful journey together. And I just wish him some peace now. And it's up to all of us to carry on.”