Obituary of Francis "Frank" H. Wermert

Francis H Wermert Latham-Longtime Latham resident Frank Wermert died Monday, May 21, 2012, a few hours shy of his 96th birthday, having compressed seemingly two centuries of life into his nearly 96 years. Born May 22, 1916 in Cliffside Park, NJ, to Henry Joseph Wermert and Wilhelmina Frederica Vesper, Frank was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed a successful business career and was a world traveler, square dancer, bridge partner, gardener, handyman, and accomplished ambidextrous tennis player until age 89. A committed but pragmatic Catholic, Frank was an entertaining and reliable friend both to those who had known him many years and those he'd just met. After graduating St. Cecelia's High School (Cliffside Park, NJ) in 1934 at the peak of the Great Depression, Frank began his working career on the docks of New York encountering colorful characters like the gangster Cockeye Dunn. In 1943 he joined the Army, served as a First Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps, and later began a career in pharmaceutical sales where during a 38 year career he became known as a legend at GD Searle, eventually becoming the #1 Sales Professional out of 600 during the years before his retirement at age 71. Always involved in the community, Frank was a longtime Explorer Post leader, local governor of Toastmasters International, volunteer at St. Mary's Hospital and Rubin Dialysis Center, founding member of Latham Circle Squares, and lector at St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet. Frank is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 63 years, Eleanor June Wermert. Also surviving are his children Jim and Sybil Wermert, Claire and John Higgins, and Barbara Wermert; his grandchildren, Stacey and Patrick Wermert and Brian and Catherine Higgins; sister-in-law Rosaura Wermert, and 20 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Gilbert. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Frank's life at a "Happy Hour" reception Friday, June 8, 2012 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Century House in Latham. His memorial Mass will be 9:00 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 2012 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 2416 7th Avenue, Watervliet, NY. For more information or to light a memory candle and send a message to the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to honor his memory with a contribution to a charity of your choice.