From a family with several vocations to priesthood and religious life, Father Francis X. Mawn died on March 5 at Regina Cleri Residence, Boston, where he had been living since 2023.

Born in Boston on Aug. 8, 1947, he was raised in Milton, attending St. Agatha Grammar School in his home parish. He attended high school at Holy Cross Preparatory Seminary in Dunkirk, N.Y. The high school seminary was for those pondering a vocation with the Passionist Fathers, a community of which his late Uncle Father Benedict J. Mawn, CP, was a member. Two of Father Mawn's aunts were Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston: the late Sister Mary Louise (Mary) Mawn and Sister Modwena (Rosetta) Mawn.

He completed his undergraduate degree at Boston State College; and graduate degree in Social Work from Boston College.

Prior to entering Pope St. John XXIII Seminary, Weston, he had been employed in education and social work in the Boston area.

Humberto Cardinal Medeiros ordained him to the priesthood on June 5, 1982, at Holy Cross Cathedral. The cardinal gave him his first priestly assignment as an associate at St. Mary Parish, Lynn.

Six years later, he was bound for the missions in South America as a member of the Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle. Six years later, armed with fluent Spanish, he returned to the archdiocese and was either a member of a team ministry or pastor in several archdiocesan parishes, each with a notable presence of Spanish-speaking parishioners. Those were St. Rose of Lima, Chelsea, team ministry (1994-1998); St. James, Haverhill (1998-2007); and Corpus Christi, Lawrence (2007-2021).

He was granted senior priest/retirement status in 2021 but continued to reside in Lawrence and assist as he was able in parishes. Facing several health challenges, he moved to Regina Cleri Residence, Boston, in 2023.

Among the memories that parishioners had of him, one summed affection for him in these words: "What stood it was his laughter, his kindness, and his enduring message of love and service to one's neighbors." Others recalled his homilies, which were to the point and effective in helping his people along the paths of Christian life.

Archbishop Richard G. Henning was to be the principal celebrant of Father Mawn's funeral Mass at St. Agatha Church, Milton, on March 14, 2025. Joining the archbishop were priest classmates, alumni of the St. James Society, and those with whom Father Mawn had served in parishes.

Father Mawn, the oldest of six siblings, was preceded in death by their parents Francis and Marie (Foley) Mawn, by a brother, Joseph, and sister, Marylou Tierney. Immediate survivors are his siblings Kevin and Michelle, both of Milton, and Annmarie Koehler, Quincy.

Father Mawn was buried in Milton Cemetery, Milton.