NORWICH – Thomas E. Frank, 64, of Norwich, passed away peacefully early Friday, April 2, 2010, at his home, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.
The son of Clifford and Loretta Mertz Frank, Tom was born in Norwich in May of 1945. While growing up in Oxford, he attended the Oxford Academy, graduating with the class of 1963. He furthered his education by attending Broome Technical Community College, graduating in 1966 with a degree in electrical engineering. Tom and his wife of 44 years, Sharon Kellogg Frank, were married in January of 1966, and moved to Elmira in 1967 when Tom took a job working as a Westinghouse sales rep. During his career, Tom worked for the Raymond Corp., Met Life, P&G and its successor, Norwich Pharmaceuticals, which he left in 2007 due to his illness. He had also worked as a sales rep for Lewis Engineering, Norwich Aero, and Endicott Coil. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Tom had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh and dance, enjoyed Irish music, and was an avid gardener. At first he raised and sold African violets, but his passion was growing prize-winning roses. Tom enjoyed woodworking, was a wonderful cook, and The Food Channel was the only channel!
Tom is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children and their spouses: Michelle and Brian Seeley of Norwich, Thomas James and Sandra Frank of Norwich, and Jennifer and Michael Sammon of Syracuse. Also surviving are five beautiful grandchildren: Joshua and Rachel Seeley, Griffin Frank, and Ryan and Jack Sammon; his brothers and their wives, Clifford and Elaine Frank and Robert and Ronnie Frank; his sister, Carolyn Broderick; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Tom was predeceased by his parents and brothers Richard and James.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Tom will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from St. Paul’s Church. The Rev. Ralph Bove, pastor, will officiate. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Tuesday from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. There will be a reading of the Rosary for family and friends at 3. Interment will be at a later date in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Please consider memorial contributions to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815; or to the American Cancer Society, 13 Beech St., Johnson City, NY 13790.