Lionel J. Frates, 60, of Swansea, passed away on Saturday, April 2, 2022 St. Anne's Hospital following a long illness. Born in Fall River, he was the son of the late Daniel M. Frates and the late Theresa (Flores) Frates.

Prior to his retirement, due to illness, he was a carpenter in the local construction industry for many years. In his younger days, he loved boxing and riding his Harley. A fun-loving guy, Lionel also loved socializing with his friends and traveling to such places as Las Vegas, Florida, and Puerto Rico.

He leaves his children, Joel Downing and his wife, Theresa, Julia Tulloch and her husband, Collin, and Cole Downing, all of Fall River, and Clarissa Howard of Swansea; two grandchildren; his sisters, Joanne Harkin (late husband, Leonard) and Deborah Cote and her husband, Arthur, both of Swansea; his brother, Timothy Frates and his wife, Donna, of Swansea; and many nieces and nephews.

Following a private cremation, His Memorial Funeral Mass was be celebrated on Saturday, May 21st, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Swansea.

Family members are always grateful for relatives and friends wishing to make in-person expressions of kindness and support. If you are unable to do so, because of this pandemic or any other reason, all are urged to express their sympathy online or by mail. To ensure that said condolences and/or sympathy cards reach the family, please always make sure that submissions online are made directly through the funeral home's website ( www.silvafaria.com ) and not through a third party. Thank you!