PORTSMOUTH—Franklin C. Rockwell, 91, passed away on August 23, 2026.

Franklin was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Diane Marie Rockwell; his daughter, Therese Marie Bass; and his sons, Allan Glenn Rockwell and Clifford Donald Rockwell.  He is survived by his daughters, Barbara Broxton (Paul) and Doris Atkinson (Ralph); his sons, Eric Rockwell and Richard Rockwell; 12 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.

Franklin proudly served in the United States Army and later worked as a boat builder at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. An avid outdoorsman, Franklin especially enjoyed fishing and hunting. He also loved bowling, playing horseshoes and cards, and cheering on his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers.

Franklin was a devoted member of St. Therese Catholic Church. He will be remembered for the life he built, the family he loved, and the many years and memories he shared with those closest to him.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 27, at St. Therese Catholic Church. The family will receive friends an hour prior at the church. The Mass will be followed by interment at Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery in Chesapeake.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Franklin's memory. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.