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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Francis “Frank” J. Kanicki

Francis J. “Frank” Kanicki, 92, a lifelong resident of Wilmington, passed away on December 1, 2017, in Bay Health Hospital in Dover.

Born in 1925, Frank led a happy, fulfilling life. Proud of his Polish and Ukrainian roots, Frank left detailed genealogical records as a gift to his family.

Much of his life centered on St. Hedwig’s Church, where he was an usher. He graduated from St. Hedwig’s Elementary School. A life member of Pulaski Legion, Frank was Scoutmaster of Troop 7, Boy Scouts of America.

Frank completed his education at Bayard Junior High School and Brown Vocational High School. His training as a typesetter led to a career at several printing firms: Modern Press, Sunday Star, Star Color Press, and the Wilmington News Journal. After mastering computerized typesetting, Frank retired in 1989.

Frank proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. After participating in the China-Burma-India initiative, he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. A life member of V.F.W. Post 3257, he remained committed to his comrades.

Perhaps sparked during his tour overseas, Frank enjoyed travel. Often with friends Pauline and Helen Eihinger and sister Irene, Frank traversed the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa. He even visited his mother’s home village in Poland. He volunteered for the Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest with gusto.

Frank was predeceased by his beloved parents Stanley and Katherine (Gbur) Kanicki; his sister Mary Wichlinski of New Castle and brother Edward of Topeka, Kansas; and his lifelong companion, Pauline Eihinger. Left to cherish Frank’s rich life are his two sisters, Irene Bonk of Wilmington and Blanche Cole of Mebane, North Carolina; his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Kanicki, of Topeka, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews. Frank will be especially missed by his niece and caretaker, Elaine LaMarche, of Middletown.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, are requested for St. Hedwig’s or Season’s Hospice. Frank would smile at those remembrances.

 

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Funeral Services

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. Hedwig’s Church, 408 S. Harrison St., Wilmington, DE 19805. A viewing will be held 1 hour prior at the church beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow the mass at Cathedral Cemetery, Wilmington, DE.

Condolences

    Art Goldman lit a candle and writes,
    I feel very fortunate to have known Frank. I owned D&M Electronics in Wilmington where Frank was a loyal customer. Always pleased to see Frank, he was the perfect gentleman and fine individual. He will be missed.My sincere condolences to family.
    12/05/2017 08:45 am
    George Davis writes,
    Very sorry to hear of Frank's passing. He was a wonderful person, he would make everyone smile when he came into the office, like a little ray of sunshine on some tough workdays.
    12/06/2017 04:55 pm
    Blanche Kanicki Cole - Sister lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Frankie, I will deeply miss you. My heart is broken never to hear your voice again. But...at the same time I'm very happy for you. I know you are in heaven and I know all of our loved ones and friends were there to happily and lovingly great you. I will always love you my dear brother and never forget you, for you are part of me and I of you. We will be apart for a little while, but someday we will be together again. Until then, I have my wonderful and beautiful memories of you, me and our family. Love your sister Blanche
    12/08/2017 01:31 pm
    Nieces, Nephews of the Cole Family lit a candle and writes,
    God looked around his garden and saw an empty space. He then looked down on earth a nd saw your tired face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. God's Garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best! He knew you were suffering. He knew you were in pain. He knew that you'd never get well on earth again. He saw that the road was getting rough, the hills were hard to climb. So he closed your weary eyes and whispered "PEACE BE THINE" I broke our hearts to loose you. But you didn't go alone. For part of us went with you. The day God called you home! Amen
    12/08/2017 01:53 pm

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