Frank Cordel Gillette Jr.

Frank C. Gillette, Jr., 86, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2024, at home in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, surrounded by his family and caregivers. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle, colleague, and friend to so many.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 66 years, Jane; a sister, Joye; his children Jana (Tony), Gina, and Joe; his grandsons, Joseph, Chris (Jenna), and Bryan; nephew and niece, Steven and Shaunna (Bruno); nephews, Greg, Darrell (Tracey), Randall (Kim), Jeff (Betty) and David; niece, Brenda (Bruce); and many other nieces, nephews.

He is predeceased in death by beloved niece, Renee’.

Frank and the family are forever grateful to Phyiona, Lele, and Enide for their round-the-clock devotion and dedicated care. Special appreciation and gratitude to Accountable Home Care and the Jasmine team from Trustbridge Hospice.

Frank was born on January 4, 1938, in Cleveland, OH to Frank C. Gillette, Sr. and Dorothy Gillette. After moving with his family to Orlando, FL, Frank graduated from William R. Boone High School where he participated in swimming, basketball and track. As a young adult, he was a talented draftsman—a hint to his future prolific engineering and mechanical design career—designing electrical and plumbing layouts for various commercial buildings in Orlando and Stuart, FL. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida.

He served eight years in the United States Naval Reserves.

Gillette retired from Pratt & Whitney after 36 years of service and, including consulting efforts, worked with the company for 55 years. He is best known as the “Father of the F119,” the supercruise and thrust-vectoring engine that powers the United States Air Force’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, the F-22 Raptor. He was responsible for the design, development and manufacturing of the F119 from its inception through its first flight, full-scale development, and full-scale operational capability. Not one to slow down in retirement, Frank was a Senior Consultant for decades with United Technologies Corporation, Belcan Corporation, and Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA). He taught Management classes for all divisions of Pratt & Whitney. Frank was passionate about teaching the fundamentals of engineering and jet engine design to future engineers. He taught propulsion, as a volunteer, at the United States Air Force Academy for 21 years. He served on the National Academies of Science Committee on Air Force and Department of Aerospace Propulsion. Throughout his career and retirement, he was enthusiastically committed to a variety of roles for the University of Florida. He served on the President’s Council, Dean of Engineering Advisory Board, and the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering External Advisory Board. Frank was a member of the Pioneers of Stealth organization.

Early in his career at Pratt & Whitney, he worked as a mechanical designer. He designed the thrust chamber for the RL10 rocket and the turbine and combustor sections of the J58, the powerplant for the SR-71 Blackbird.

Later, he was responsible for managing the overall structural engineering efforts for various rockets and jet engines. These include the J52, an engine used in a variety of platforms (A-6 Intruder, A-4 Skyhawk, and AGM-28 Hound Dog cruise missile), as well as the TF30 for the F-14 Tomcat and the F100, powering the F-15 Eagle and the F-16 Falcon. Frank also contributed to the design of the Space Shuttle’s main engine.

Frank was named the Engineering Director for the YF119 program. He was responsible for ensuring the technical integrity of the demonstration and prototype engine program to assure the design, reliability and maintainability, the development program, flight test program, and technical proposal to the US Air Force, which led to a full-scale development win for Pratt & Whitney and its F119 engine for the F-22 Raptor.

Next, Frank was the Director of Engineering Programs, F119 Engine Projects for Government and Space Propulsion at Pratt & Whitney. He provided leadership to over 900 engineering employees responsible for the design, development, test, production transition, and engineering support for the F119 engine.

He was appointed as the Director of Advanced Military Engines for Government Engine and Space Propulsion at Pratt & Whitney. In this role, he was responsible for the engine design of the Boeing and Lockheed Joint Advanced Strike Fighter and Advanced Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing applications (F135 for the F-35). Additionally, he oversaw F100 and F119 derivatives and Advanced Nozzles.

Frank was a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

He was honored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics as the National Engineer of the Year for “a generation of leadership in designing, developing and fielding outstanding aerospace propulsion systems and cultivating advanced technologies that spell success.”

Frank was the Aviation Week Laurel Award recipient for developing the thrust vectoring, supercruise engine that won the competition to power the U.S. Air Force F-22 Fighter.

The Society of Automative Engineers honored Frank with the prestigious Cliff Garrett Turbomachinery Engineering Award. The title of the paper presented to the society was “Engine Design for Mechanics.”

He has presented numerous papers to various technical societies and has several patents.

Pratt & Whitney established the Frank Gillette Propulsion Researcher at the United States Air Force Academy. “Frank is truly a pioneer in the field, so we are honored to establish this research position to help build upon the knowledge, expertise and capability of the full-time faculty,” said then-Pratt & Whitney president, Bennett Croswell.

In the late 1960s, Frank was pivotal in securing the funding for and designing Christian Manor, a 200-unit affordable housing facility for seniors in West Palm Beach, FL. Its construction was completed in 1972 and has been open since. Currently, there are plans for another 30 years of operations.

Frank was an active member of several churches. In his early life, he was a member at the Euclid Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Cleveland, OH and at Central Christian Church of Orlando (Disciples of Christ). He was a longtime member of Tropical Sands Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Palm Beach Gardens, FL and Jupiter First Church (United Church of Christ) in Jupiter, FL. He attended and participated in both the Cursillo and Emmaus movements. He was honored as Layman of the Year for the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Florida and served two years as the President of Christian Men’s Fellowship, United States and Canada.

His hobbies included model railroading, landscaping, and running. He was also an avid collector of antique train equipment, memorabilia, and artifacts.

A Celebration of Frank’s life is scheduled for 10:45 AM on November 23, 2024 at Jupiter First Church, 1475 Indian Creek Parkway, Jupiter, FL 33458. The service will be livestreamed on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/live/8kIZKyQSjKI

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the University Florida’s College of Engineering, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Excellence Fund or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. See information below:

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