John F. "Franny" Stanton passed away at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on November 20, 2017 at the age of 73. He was born in Melrose on December 10, 1943 to the late Michael & Agnes (Leonard) Stanton. Franny was raised in Melrose, graduated from Melrose High School and entered the US Marine Corps in 1962, served his country with pride and was a Vietnam War Era Veteran. After his discharge from the service Mr. Stanton joined the Melrose Police Department in 1965 as a patrolman and retired in 1998 at a Lieutenant and a Patrol Commander. A lifelong resident of Melrose, Franny loved spending time at his second home on Highland Lake in Washington, NH and was active with the Friends of the Woods. It was important to him to protect the conservation land around the lake. Mr. Stanton enjoyed riding ATV's around the woods and going out boating on the lake. He also enjoyed spending time in Bonita Springs, Florida during the winter. Franny was the husband of the late Janet R. (MacLeod) Stanton. Father of Laura A. Stanton of Windham, NH and Melrose Police Officer Kevin J. Stanton of Melrose. Brother of the late James F. Stanton and late Joseph Stanton. Uncle of Jimmy & John Stanton of Melrose. Great uncle of Shawn, Ryan, Kelly, Jessica & Maryanne. Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Monday, November 27, 2017 from 4:00-8:00PM. Funeral procession from the Gately Funeral Home, on Tuesday Nov. 28th at 9:00AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, Herbert St. Melrose at 10:00AM. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Franny's name to Hallmark Health VNA Hospice, 178 Savin St. Suite 300, Malden, MA 02148.