I wanted to say a few words about Frank, but soon realized that was impossible.  No one who knew Frank and had been around him can say a few words about him.  Frank was a gem, truly one of a kind.  He said he was a minority because he was not Italian, he was a Sicilian.  Frank and I both worked for GE’s Installation and Service Engineering Division.  We shared work experience in our earlier careers since we had both worked on the first Lunar Excursion Module, Americas manned mission to the moon in 1969.   Frank was a certified aircraft engine mechanic when in the Air Force and was assigned to the B52 Bomber Squadrons at several bases.  He had one of the best mechanical minds you could ever hope to be around. Frank could always visualize in 3 dimensions and would draw and sketch examples in the same fashion. Frank had more talents than just nuts and bolts.  He was a people person.  He could have been a stand-up comic.  He could recount situations and events like they just happened.  He had a tremendous sense of humor.  He could keep you in tears and his laugh was contagious. He had a strong faith and practiced his Catholic upbring through his life. He loved to cook hamburgers or anything on the grill.  We would gather at birthdays, or Christmas, or just a day on the lake with the grandchildren.  Those time were filled with good food, fellowship, and plenty of laughs that we will always remember.  To watch Franks health decline over the past 4 years has been difficult.  To see such a talented, strong individual tethered to an oxygen tube was always a shock.  He took himself to the hospital several times. It seemed he always would recover and while it slowed him down a little more each time, he never seemed to lose his optimism or his ability to keep going.   Frank was a friend, a companion, and as the old ones would say; someone to ride the river with.  We will miss him but remember the good times and the “Frank stories’ that will live on.  I thank God that I knew him

I had the opportunity to work with Frank for many years when he worked for GE.  We worked together in Fayetteville, NC constructing the 1st phase of the Butler-Warner Generation plant in 1976.  Frank was a great guy who had a great sense of humor.  My memories of him bring a smile recalling our interactions together.  I recall this bachelor meeting his soon to be wife in Fayetteville and their marriage.  I enjoyed our many interactions in the years that followed.  Prayers for the Family, please accept my sincere condolences.

Last year before all this Covid hit , I had the last Opportunity to have a visit with my extended family . It was always a pleasure to come for a visit the laughs and memories will always hold a special place in my heart. 
Both of you will be missed greatly, 
may you Rest In Peace 

OBITUARY

Frank Joseph Cina

April 15, 1942 – December 7, 2020

Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home

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