Carl G. Frank

Carl G. Frank of Wilkes-Barre and Falls died Thursday, May 18, 2023. Carl passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving family at the age of 98. We are grateful for both his longevity and his clarity until his death.

Born January 28, 1925, to Carl N. and Adelaide Storz Frank in Wilkes-Barre, he attended St. Nicholas School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served as a Navy Seaman, 1st Class, on the USS Miami, 6th fleet, in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

He was a devout, lifetime member of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church.

Before his retirement, he worked as a sheet metal draftsman for EJ Rogan & Sons, Laflin.

Carl was an avid sportsman. He was voted High School MVP for two years at St. Nicholas in the Catholic Basketball League. He went on to play professional basketball for the Wilkes-Barre Barons in the Eastern League for three years. He also played minor league baseball for Mahanoy City (an affiliate of the Boston Braves). Later, he was inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame.

Carl also loved hunting and fishing. He was a founding member and past president of Root Hollow Lodge, Wyoming County. He enjoyed fishing along the Susquehanna River near his Falls cottage.

Carl married the love of his life, Elizabeth Ann Farrell, on June 28, 1947. Together they raised ten children and were married forty-nine years at the time of her death on November 12, 1996.

Their real legacy is their family. They include children Dr. Ann M Kolanowski, Ph.D. of Kingston, Susan A. Rutchauskas (Anthony) of Lehman, Karen L. Bird (David) of Lightstreet, Mary E. Pape of Wilkes-Barre, Attorney Carl N. Frank (Jane) of Wilkes-Barre, Richard M Frank (Janice) of Mountaintop, Terese M. Rogers (Attorney Donald T.) of Wilkes-Barre, Michael F. Frank (Susan) of Falls, Alice M. Foley (Kevin, CPA) of Nuangola, and Heidi M. Bertram (David) of Wilkes-Barre; grandchildren Cynthia Kolanowski (David Hicks), Jason Rutchauskas (Alejandra), Attorney Kelly Ciravolo (Scott), Dr. Leslie Ochrieter, Ph.D., Jess Bird-Bellis (Matt), Maura Pape (Attorney Spencer Scharff), Frederick N. Pape (Alyssa), Alexander Pape (Elizabeth Ward), Attorney Carl E. Frank (Dr. Kristina), Mary L. White (Conor), Julie Schlude (Matt), Attorney Richard Frank (Becca Blinn), Mark Frank (Sarah), Patrick Frank, Kenneth Frank (Maria Kanapi), Attorney Michael Rogers, Katherine Rogers, Donald Rogers, Keri Darby (Eric), Michael Frank (Amanda), Peter Frank (Megan Zelonis), John Mooney, Kathleen Richards (Pete), Christine Mooney, Adelaide Garcia (Dr. Alejandro), David Bertram (Alyssa Jones), and Robert Bertram; great grandchildren Caitlin and Stephen Hicks, Makayla, McCoy, and McLean Rutchauskas, Gemma, Tuula, and Bruno Ciravolo, Luke and Violet Hartley, Davyd, Teddy, and Aderyn Bellis, Maxwell Scharff, Evelyn Pape, Natalie, Katie, and Jane Schlude, Crawford and Birdie Frank, Vicente Frank, Henry, Arlo, and Anna Rose Darby, Alayna Grace and Braxton Frank, Eve and George Richards, Keirsi Mooney, and Claire Garcia.

His brother, Reverend Richard Frank; sons-in-law Leon "Kollie" Kolanowski, Robert Ochrieter, Frederick Pape, and John Mooney; grandson Mark Kolanowski; great-grandson John Richards; and cousins Eddie and Bob Ell preceded him in death.

Carl's family is grateful for the care and support he received from Veterans Administration Home Care Services and Dr. Patrick Kerrigan.

Celebration of Carl's Life begins Monday, May 22, 2023, with visitation from 4 to 7 PM at McLaughlin's, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre. It continues on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, with a Funeral Mass at 11 AM in the Church of Saint Nicholas.

Share memories and condolences with Carl's family at mjmclaughlin.com