ECK, Francis Townley, 67, of Richmond, Va., died Thursday, August 25, 2011, of ALS. He was the son of Edgar C. and Mary Chase Eck. Frank is survived by his brother, Ed Eck (Sarah); and sisters, Mary Chase Layman, Virginia DiLoreto (Martin), and Sr. Pat Eck, a Sister of Bon Secours. "Meatball," as he was known to family and friends, is also survived by 14 nieces and nephews, 36 great-nieces and nephews and many, many close friends who loved him and cared deeply for him during his life and especially his recent illness. He was a devout and deeply religious Catholic who was a longtime member of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Frank supported the Cathedral's music ministry, RCIA program, Restoration and Beautification projects (one of which was the lighting of the dome and the exterior of the Cathedral), and served on the Cathedral's Finance Council. His special love was supporting those called to a vocation to the priesthood or to religious life. He was also a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Amherst, Va. Frank was a graduate of Benedictine High School, Villanova University, and the University of Richmond's T.C. Williams School of Law. He was a practicing attorney specializing in real estate and resort development. Frank was a Chairman's League member of the American Resort Development Association, General Counsel for the Virginia Resort Development Association, and was the author of the Virginia Time-Share Act. He was also a member of The Commonwealth Club of Richmond. Frank's family would like to thank his faithful caregivers: his niece, Lori, TD, Rob, Jay, Mo, Andy, Zach, Dillon, Chris, Sherry, Lin Care, and Bon Secours Hospice, especially Brenda and Amanda. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Bliley's - Central Chapel, 3801 Augusta Ave., with a Christian Wake Service at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 12 noon Tuesday at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart with entombment to follow in the Cathedral Crypt. The family asks that memorial contributions may be made to one of the following: The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Preservation Fund, 800 S. Cathedral Place, Richmond, Va. 23220; the JT Walk/Friends of Frank Fund, 582 W. Ocean View Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23503, The Frank Eck Fund at the Bon Secours Richmond Health Care Foundation (which will support the Bon Secours Hospice Program and St. Mary's Hospital), 5875 Bremo Road, Ste. 305, Richmond, Va. 23226, or online at www.bsva.org. - See more at: http://www.blileyfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Francis-Townley-Eck/Richmond-VA/965656#.dpuf