AUGUSTINE, FRANK - Father of Patricia Augustine Gainer and Sharon Augustine Belfie (Luke) and the deceased Gloria Sanford (John) died at the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor on May 26, 2011 after a brief illness. He was the first American born son of his immigrant parents, who came to this country in 1911. He was the second oldest of seven sons born to Estella Kabala Augustyn and John Augustyn. He worked in the Pennsylvania coal mines in and around the Johnstown area for 15 years until he entered the military service on April 30, 1942 from Altoona, Pa. He served in Normandy, England and the Phillipines before his discharge in January 1946. His honors included five ribbon bar stripes and two bronze stars. He married Stella Chima Coffey in March 1946, who preceded him in death in 1996. Besides his daughters, he is survived by four grandchildren, Jennifer and Casey Loughlin, Kellie Sanford Rudd and Pattie Sanford Osborn; two brothers, Tony and Stanley; many nieces and nephews; and his many friends at Park Forest Apartment Complex where he lived since 2003. He had a determination and zest for life that kept him much younger than his years and even though he was legally blind since 2002, he was able to maintain his own apartment until May 1, 2011. He enjoyed a good memory and great mental faculties until his death. His great dry sense of humor, frankness and ability to correctly size up a situation will be be missed throughout our entire lifetime. His body was donated to research according to his wishes. A military service with honors will be held at the gravesite on June 24, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. Guests should meet at the Woodland Chapel on Francis St. across from Jackson Monument Works, then we will proceed to the gravesite. A celebration of his life will be held at the Polish Falcons Hall, 1423 Joy Avenue immediately following the service. Polish music, food and memories will be enjoyed in the traditional Polish manner of our upbringing.

Published in Jackson Citizen Patriot on June 19, 2011.