Obituary of Frank J. John

LATHAM Frank J. John, 86, of Latham, died peacefully, Sunday, March 6, 2011, surrounded by loving family. Frank was born and grew up in South Troy. He was the son of William and Rose (O'Hare) John. After graduating from Catholic Central High School, he worked at Behr-Manning, Watervliet, before joining the US Army in October 1943. A rifleman in the 359th Regiment, Frank entered WWII at Utah Beach during D-Day operations. In August, he was captured and spent nine months in a German POW camp at Moosburg, Germany. Following his liberation by Patton's Third Army, Frank returned to Troy where he received both a Bachelors and Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering at RPI. Frank began his engineering career at GE in Schenectady moving on to Benet Laboratory at the Watervliet Arsenal where he worked for 27 years; retiring in 1981. Frank, an avid reader, enjoyed the outdoors, his pet collies, sailing, photography, and good conversation with family and friends. In June 1951, Frank married the love of his life, Eileen E. Hardiman, and for the next 59 years was a loving and devoted husband. Moving to the country - Latham in 1957, Eileen and Frank raised their four children. Frank is predeceased by his brother, Billy, sister, Theresa, and brothers-in-law, Francis Cooney and the Rev John Hardiman. He is the proud father of William (Jean), Colonie, Eileen (Allen) Maikels, Guilderland, Robert, Latham, and Thomas (Faith), Richmond, VA. He is the proud grandfather of Katherine, Christopher, and Gregory John, Allen and Mary Beth Maikels, and Charlotte, Mallory, and Colleen John. Frank is also survived by his dear sister-in-law, Mary Teresa Cooney, Colonie, and his nieces and nephews; Jack, Colleen, Billy, Brendan, Eileen, Erin Ann, and Michael. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Carmelite Sisters and staff at Teresian House for the care they provided Frank this past year. A special thanks to the late Aunt Kate and Maggie who helped raise Frank after the death of Rose in 1926. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday March 11 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Latham. Fr. Geoffrey Burke will officiate. Relatives and Friends are invited and may call on Thursday March 10 from 4-7 pm at the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Capital City Rescue Mission, 259 South Pearl Street, Albany, 12202 For directions, information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com