NORWICH – Frank J. Paino, 87, of Birdsall Street, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at the New York State Veterans’ Home in Oxford.
Born in Norwich on Feb. 9, 1921, Frank was the son of Joseph and Mary (Favaloro) Paino. He graduated from Norwich High School in 1939 and then worked for a short time at Child’s Gas Station and the Borden Ice Cream Company before joining the U.S. Army during World War II. During the war, Frank was a master sergeant and crew chief mechanic serving in the Asian Theater in Burma and India on airplanes flying the “hump.” Upon his discharge from active service, Frank returned to the Borden Co. before joining the workforce at the U.S. Post Office in 1956. He retired in 1983. While at the post office, he met countless people and his friendly face will be remembered by many. Frank also worked as a bailiff in the Chenango County Family Court.
Devoted to his family, Frank was known as “Mr. Fix-it.” He always had the right tools and kept everything in proper running order for everyone in the family. He will be remembered as having a heart of gold.
Frank was an active member of St. Bartholomew’s Church, serving as an usher for many years. He was also a member of the former Holy Name Society of the church. He was a life member of the Elks and a former member of the Lions Club.
On Aug. 9, 1947, Frank married Charlotte Skahan. Charlotte died on October 30, 1997. On Nov. 4, 2000, at St. Paul’s Church, Frank married Joan Vitanza, who survives.
Also surviving are Frank’s daughters and their husbands, Margaret (Peggy) and Donald (Rich) Anthony of Oxford, Mary Beth and Timothy Ryan of Norwich and Patricia and Daniel Ryan of Guilford; five step-children, Tom, Karen, Michael, Deborah and Mary; nine grandchildren, Patricia, Kelly, Sean, Timothy, Erin, Katelin, Matthew, Scott and Robert; twelve step-grandchildren; ten great grandchildren and one step-great grandchild. Frank is also survived by his sister, Catherine Rotundo and her husband, James, of Norwich. He was predeceased by his parents, his step-mother, Bertha and a step-grandchild.
A Mass of Resurrection for Frank will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m.
Contributions in memory of Frank may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., Office of Development, 1501 NW 9th Avenue/Bob Hope Road, Miami, Florida 33136-1494.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at: http://wilsonfh.com.