Francis "Frank" Joseph Gajewski

On April 5, 2022, Captain Francis (Frank) Gajewski, age 90, left the bonds of earth to join his fellow Marines in guarding the streets of heaven. He passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family. He was a Marine through and through.

Frank was born on August 4, 1931 in New Haven, Connecticut to George Gajewski and Apolonia Adamski. He married the love of his life, Patricia Moore, on September 16, 1961.

Frank graduated from Hill House High School in 1948. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1950 and retired in 1970. He served in many positions during his outstanding 20 years, including aircraft mechanic for one tour in Korea, officer candidate school, pilot for fixed wing aircraft at Pensacola Naval Air Station, executive officer of station maintenance, air traffic controller, helicopter training command, helicopter squadron pilot, and combat pilot for two tours in Vietnam. He also served as a pilot for Marine One, transporting Presidents Eisenhower, Johnson, and Nixon as well as many dignitaries of foreign countries.

Frank earned many accommodations during his military career including the Distinguished Flying Cross, seventeen Air Medal Awards, the National Defense Service Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, and the Vietnam Service Medal.

After retiring from the Marines, he attended Durham College and became a draftsman at W. E. Simpson & Co. in San Antonio, Texas.

Frank lived in New Braunfels from 1970–1994, Canyon Lake from 1994–2021, and moved back to New Braunfels from 2021 until 2022. While he and Pat raised their family in New Braunfels, he coached and managed Little League baseball and coached a youth soccer team. Frank was an avid supporter of the New Braunfels High School Unicorn Marching Band, a life member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church.

Frank and Pat enjoyed fifteen years of RVing coast to coast.

He was preceded in death by his parents George Gajewski and Apolonia Adamski, his sisters Helen Turner and Mary Szeligowski, and his dear dog Beau.

He is survived by his wife Patricia (Moore) Gajewski of New Braunfels, Texas; his children Dr. Kathleen Gajewski of Pearland, Texas, LouAnn McMurray and her husband Brad McMurray of Schertz, Texas, Michael Gajewski and his wife Jocelyn Gajewski of Tucson, Arizona, and Nancy Young and her husband John Young of Canyon Lake, Texas; his grandchildren Calli McMurray, Emme Benefield and her husband Mason Benefield, Erin McMurray, Mackenzie Young, and Andrew Gajewski; and his sister Florence Szeligowski of New Haven, Connecticut, as well as his beloved dog Bella.

The family is deeply grateful for the excellent care provided by Hope Hospice and his favorite nurse he affectionately called “Dr. Ben”.

The family will receive visitors at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Canyon Lake, Texas on May 6th at 9:30 a.m., followed by a mass at 10:30. Interment at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio with full military honors will follow at 2:15 p.m.

For more information please visit Zoeller funeral home dignitymemorial.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the following charities:

Hope Hospice

611 N. Walnut Ave.

New Braunfels, TX 78130

https://www.hopehospice.net/donate

The Gary Sinise Foundation

PO Box 40726

Nashville, TN 37204

https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate

In memory of Frank Gajewski

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