In Memory of Frank A. Hall (August 29, 1940 − March 17, 2026)

We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Frank A. Hall, who died on March 17, 2026, at the age of 85.

Frank was born on August 29, 1940, in Somerville, MA, to Chester and Dorothy Hall. He was raised in MA and grew up in Woburn and Wilmington. He attended Wilmington High School and completed his higher education in MA, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education from Salem State College in 1962, followed by a Master of Education from Northeastern University in 1967.

After graduating from Salem State College, Frank began his teaching career at Tewksbury High School, MA, where he taught from 1962 to 1963. He then taught at Wellesley High School, MA, from 1963 to 1969. During these formative years as an educator, Frank developed close and meaningful relationships with his students, forming a deep emotional investment in their lives. He helped them navigate life’s challenges and solve their problems. This made his life a meaningful, exciting, and challenging experience. During this time, he also found himself increasingly drawn to the anti-war movement.

From 1966 to 1970, Frank became actively involved with the Wellesley Hills Unitarian Church, serving as an LRY Advisor. He also served as a junior high youth advisor, a high school Sunday teacher, and a member of the Religious Education Youth Advisory and Long Range Planning Committee. Working closely with a variety of age groups, each with varied concerns and interests, he found deep fulfillment and success in his relationships within the church community. This involvement made him believe that the UU ministry could offer him an opportunity to continue and extend these kinds of connections and experiences. As a UU minister, he hoped to make his greatest contribution to humanity – supporting individuals trying to find a meaningful, worthwhile existence, accompanying individuals in their becoming, and serving an institution that promotes free thinking and free living. Driven by this calling, he graduated from Boston University, MA, with a Master of Theology in 1972. During his years at Boston University, he served as an assistant minister of the Follen Church, Lexington, MA (1970–1972).

The Rev. Hall was ordained on October 15, 1972, by the Murray Unitarian Universalist Church, Attleboro, MA, where he served his ministry from 1972 to 1984. In 1984, he accepted a call from the Unitarian Church in Westport, CT (now Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport) and served until 2013. During his first year there, the sanctuary was the site for Westport’s first gay and lesbian commitment ceremonies. He was proud of his role in making the church a welcoming place for the LGBTQ community. During his tenure, as the church grew, a second Sunday service was introduced, and full-time religious education, music, and social justice directors were hired, as well as paid youth advisors. In recognition of the twenty-nine years of his dedicated service, the Westport church honored him as their minister emerit during his retirement in 2013. Furthermore, the Rev. Hall served the UU Fellowship of Chautauqua, NY, as their Minister of the Week for many summers.

During his ministry, he took 29 “coming-of-age groups” (14 years old) to Boston, touring sites in and around the birthplace of Unitarianism in Massachusetts. He was deeply involved in denominational life. He served as a manager of the Ferry Beach Park Association(1974); president of the Ballou Channing District Ministers Chapter (1974–1976);  coordinator of Junior High Session at Ferry Beach (1989), a teacher trainer for About Your Sexuality, and a Good Officer for the  Metro New York UUMA Chapter, Good Office (2007).

Frank was a committed advocate for social justice. He served the New England Interdistrict Council (1970–1972). In CT, he was a founding member of the AIDS Task Force of Fairfield County (1985–1988) and a member of the Interfaith Housing Association.

He was known for his love of poetry, especially Walt Whitman, which frequently served as texts for his sermons. He inspired and mentored numerous congregants who later pursued ministry. Some of his published works include:

• “God, I ‘d Like to Meet Satan”, pulpit drama, Journal of Religious Humanism, Summer 1975
• “A Golden Christmas”, poem, published in an anthology edited by Carl Seaburg, Beacon Press.

He loved travel and adventure and spent decades of wonderful summers living in his Thoreau-inspired cabin in Old Orchard Beach, ME. He enjoyed racquetball, cross-country skiing, hiking, chess, snorkeling, theatre, and cooking.

Frank is survived by his wife of twenty-nine years, Lory Nurenberg; his children, Susan Hall and Jonathan Hall (Rosie); his stepchild, Carlyn Kessler (Elliot); his grandchildren, Alex Hildreth (Ingrid) and Hannah O’Brien-Hill (Perry); and his great-grandchild, Sofia Hildreth. He was beloved dog dad to Parker. He is also survived by his siblings, William Hall, John Hall, Dorothy Hall, and Gwen Sheehan, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, other extended family members, and his first wife, Anita Hall. 

A celebration of Frank’s life was held on May 3, 2026, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport, 10 Lyons Plains Rd, Westport, CT 06880. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, 689 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, or the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation.

Notes of condolence may be sent to Lory Nurenberg.