Francis J Readdy

Francis J. Readdy flew his ‘last flight’ on January 21st, 2019. He was 93. A native of Milton, Mass., ‘Frank’ attended the Naval Academy, graduating in June of 1946. Upon graduation he served aboard the USS Vesole (DD-878) for two years prior to reporting to NAS Pensacola, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas for flight training. It was during that time that he met and married Peggy, the love of his life. Upon completion of flight training, he was assigned to Attack Squadron Seventy-five (VA-75) ‘The Sunday Punchers’, at NAS Quonset Point, R.I. and made training and combat deployments aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (CVA-31) flying the venerable AD-4 ‘Skyraider’. Frank’s naval career spanned 31 years, and included completion of his Masters Degree in aeronautical engineering, graduation from Naval Test Pilot School, and designation as Aeronautical Engineering Duty Officer. His flight testing and program management responsibilities spanned a wide range of Naval tactical aircraft, helping to bring Naval Aviation out of the propeller era into the modern age of naval jets and weapon systems. His military awards included the Legion of Merit, numerous Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, World War 2 Victory Medal, China Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and Korean Service Medal. Upon retirement, Frank settled in McLean, Virginia and continued to contribute as an engineering and program management consultant. He loved to travel, was involved in St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, dabbled in genealogy, and became an active member of the Vinson Hall Resident Association. Frank was an avid sports fan – the Olympics, hosting the family to Los Angeles and Calgary, tennis, college basketball, hockey and of course, baseball. His favorite was his boyhood hometown Boston Red Sox. He would often go to Spring Training in Florida to watch them. He felt lucky to see his Red Sox win the World Series in 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018. He adopted the Washington Capitals and followed them faithfully until he saw them win Lord Stanley’s Cup in 2018. Frank was predeceased in 1968 by his beloved wife, Peggy Jean Dial. He is survived by sons William (Colleen Nevius) and Joseph (Marcy McInelly), daughter Mary Ellen (Philip) Rontgen, and three grandchildren: Sean, Peter and Maureen. Burial with military honors took place at Arlington National Cemetery on March 13th, 2019 with Navy Chaplain Michael Bryant officiating.