Frank Sakowski was called to heaven on Friday, May 20, 2016. Born in 1924 to Ann and Stanley Sakowski, he was the 7th of 8 children. He was predeceased by brothers, Stanley, William, Matthew and Walter; and sisters, Agnes McDermott, Mamie Swiderski and Jane Zajac. Frank served in WWII and was very proud of his service to his country. He was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne 508 Parachute Infantry Regiment and participated in the invasion of Normandy, the jump into France (Sainte Mere'-Eglise) invasion of Holland and the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, , Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and had received many honors and medals. He had remained in contact with many of his fellow servicemen over the years. He, his wife, Helen, and some of his remaining regiment had even traveled to Europe for the 50th Anniversary of D-Day. After his discharge from the Army, he worked various jobs before finding his niche as a letter carrier in the U.S. Postal Service where he ultimately retired. He was a proud member of the National Assoc. of Retired Federal Employees, the National Assoc. of Letter Carriers and was a past president of the Polish American Citizens Home. He lived a full life and managed to overcome many health issues throughout the years with the support of his loving family, his wife of 69 years, Helen (Poplawski); his children: son, Thomas (Roxanne); daughter, Patricia Bartowski (Michael); grandchildren, Mike Bartowski (Meredith Cantor-Feller), Scott Bartowski (Amanda Lappin), Holly and Aaron Herringshaw, Amanda Sakowski (James Martin); and great-grandchildren, Alora and Ava Herringshaw, all of which brought him great joy. There are many nieces, nephers, family and friends who will mourn his loss. Family was always very import to Frank, and he will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, dziadzi, uncle and friend. The family would also like to thank the VA Hospital, ER staff, doctors, nurses and other medical staff for their heartfeld care during this recent event and throughout these many years. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 927 Park Ave. in Syracuse. Friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Giminski-Wysocki Funeral Home, 1320 W. Genesee St. in Syracuse. Burial: Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lakeland.

Published in Syracuse Post Standard from May 21 to May 22, 2016