Frank Krakowski

Two weeks following his 89th birthday, Frank A, Krakowski died in the early morning hours at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest on September 2, 2011. He is survived by his wife Mary in Whitehall, PA; his son Frank M. Krakowski, MD, living in Lower Saucon Township with his wife Carol; his grandson, Andrew, MD, with his wife Carlisle, VMD, living in San Diego, CA,; and grand-daughter Lauren, living in Center Valley, PA. Frank was born in 1922 in Georgetown, PA, just outside Wilkes-Barre. His father Andrew and mother Anna (Kotch) migrated here from Czechoslovakia. As a teenager, he lived for awhile in Carlsbad, NM, working on Civilian Conservation Corps projects there before returning to Pennsylvania. During WW II he was a gunner’s mate specialist aboard the minesweeper USS Pochard and was part of the first contingent to sweep Tokyo Bay to ensure safe landing for the invading U.S. Naval Fleet. After marrying in Wilkes-Barre, living in Ashley, PA, and working as a fire-boss, miner, and inspector at the Glen Alden coal company in Wilkes-Barre, he moved his family to Allentown in the early 1950s. There he was employed as both a fireman and engineer on the Reading and Central railroads. For almost two decades he served as local chairman for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen in Reading and the Lehigh Valley. He also worked part-time in the construction industry as a carpenter and actually built his own home in Whitehall where he lived with his devoted wife for the past 57 years. They celebrated their 67th anniversary this past July. Frank was a charter member and fourth-degree Sir Knight in the Knights of Columbus Council #528 (Roth Avenue, Allentown). For more than a decade, he served as a part-time sextant at St. John the Baptist RCC (Front Street, Allentown) and an occasional altar server and assistant at Sts. Peter and Paul RCC (Fullerton Avenue, Allentown). His avocations in his younger years included fresh-water fishing and small game as well as deer hunting. He loved the railroad and was extremely passionate about working hard and giving 100% effort at whatever projects he undertook. He was a great husband, outstanding father and grandfather, and a person willing to lend anyone a helping hand. He leaves his family members and friends grieving his passing but knowing the world is a finer place for his time spent here. He will be missed each and every day but never forgotten. We all thank him for the wonderful memories. SURVIVORS Frank had five brothers and two sisters, but is survived only by his brother Michael Krakovsky (sic) living with his wife Mary in Neshanic Station, NJ. Siblings preceding Frank in death were brothers, Andrew, Joe, Jack, George, and Steve as well as sisters, Mary and Anne. SERVICES A calling time will be 6-8PM Sunday at the Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1418 Main Street, Hellertown. A Memorial Mass will be 10AM on Monday, September 5, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Allentown. Friends may call from 9:30-10 AM on Monday at the church. A committal service will be at 11 AM Tuesday at St Mary’s Cemetery, Wilkes-Barre. To offer on-line condolences, please visit www.falkfuneralhomes.com.