Francis Cyril Cynkar

surrounded by his children on January 26, 2019. He was born on February 8, 1926 in

Pittsburgh, PA and moved to Port Charlotte in 1981 upon retiring from the US Postal

Service. At the age of 15, shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Frank enlisted in the US Navy and was assigned to the USS Vincennes. As a crewman, he saw action at the Battle of

Midway and also witnessed the beginning of the historic Doolittle Raid. Frank was seriously

wounded during the Battle of Savo Island when his vessel was sunk during a late night

Japanese attack. After a harrowing night at sea, floating with shipmates in a raft made of

rope and netting, he was rescued by a US navy destroyer. After recovering from his

injuries, he was awarded a Purple Heart and an Honorable Discharge in April of 1943.

Once he returned to Pittsburgh, Frank married the love of his life, Norma Jean Hamley in

1948 and they raised 5 children. His family always came first, highlighted by many fun

filled vacations to Florida. Sadly, Jean passed away at the age of 46.

Frank's love for his family continued into retirement, when he hosted visits with his

children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in Port Charlotte, or as he liked to call it

"Paradise". They enjoyed swimming, watching late night movies, playing putt-putt and

shuffleboard. He also enjoyed traveling, including trips to Europe and Central America.

Frank was an avid swimmer and also had an unending thirst for knowledge, as he became

computer savvy and a crossword expert in his golden years. His energy and positivity

towards life was admired by those who knew and loved him.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Jean, his granddaughter, Carrie, and

numerous brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his children Barbara (Greg) Craycraft, Paul (Maribeth) Cynkar, John (Marilyn) Cynkar, Betsy (Dennis) Ausel and Tom (Barb) Cynkar; grandchildren Jennifer, Justin, Matt, Lauren, Jeff, Jeremy, Emily, Erica, Brian and Stephanie; great-grandchildren Hunter, Greyson, Jordana, Jack, Ben, Jeremy Jr, Ashli, Addison, Amelia, Gianluca, Shelby, Finnegan and Lander; sisters Antoinette and Peggy.

He will be honored in a Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 12 noon at the Maple Leaf Estates Golf and Country Club, 2100 Kings Hwy, Port Charlotte, FL 33980.

Donations in honor and memory of Frank can be made to:

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

P. O. Box 14301

Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301

www.dav.org

877-647-8387

Or to

Tidewell Hospice

Philanthropy Department

5955 Rand Blvd.

Sarasota, FL 34238-5160

www.tidewellhospice.org

855-843-3935