Obituary for Francis “Frank” J. Eraca Dad, Pee-pa, Summer Wingman, Francis Joseph “Frank” Eraca died peacefully at Wingate at Dutchess on September 11, 2018 in Fishkill, NY at the age of 89. Born to Hungarian and Italian immigrants on May 16, 1929, Frank was the 6th of nine children raised in Beacon, NY. Our dad was a truly amazing individual that lived many lives: he was a butcher, a baseball player, a lineman, bar owner, and rounded out his career as a swimming pool contractor.
An accomplished athlete, in 1947, he was taken by limo from Beacon to the original Yankee Stadium for a private try-out with the legendary Connie Mack, the longest serving MLB manager in history. Offered a position on the Philadelphia Athletics Triple A team, he played catcher for a short stint. Upon returning home to Beacon, he married Dolores Annis in 1949 and settled in Fishkill.
For 13 years, Frank worked as a lineman for Central Hudson until the entrepreneurial spirit took over. In 1962, he started Fishkill Pools, Dutchess County’s oldest swimming pool company. An avid gardener, diehard Red Sox fan, and maker of the best sauce and turkey barley soup around, he will be remembered for his “gabadost” (stubborn) nature and living on his own terms until the very end of his life.
Frank is survived by his five children: Ardra Todd (John) of Hopewell Junction, NY, Jeff (Valerie) of Hopewell Junction, NY, Erika Stevens (Dave) of Poughkeepsie, NY, Greg (Jennifer) of LaGrangeville, NY, Elizabeth Moses (Jesse) of Binghamton, NY. In addition, he is survived by 12 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Dolores in 1976 and his former 2nd wife, Bonnie Blanchfield in 2012.
He is also survived by the mother of his youngest child, Mary Eraca who resides in Binghamton, NY. While the last few months have been difficult, the support of our friends and family has been overwhelming and we are very grateful. This experience has brought us closer together than ever as a family and for that we are so humbled and appreciative.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, September 17 at 1 p.m. at Fishkill Rural Cemetery, 801 Rte. 9, Fishkill, NY. Always a giver, Frank was a monthly supporter of St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made in his name at www. stjude.org/give. html .
Our family would like to thank the exceptional staff of Wingate at Dutchess and Hospice of Dutchess County for the love, care, and dedication they provided to our dad in his last four months of life. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Patrick J. Halvey of Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey, LLC. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Francis “Frank” J. Eraca please visit our Sympathy Store.
Cemetery Details Fishkill Rural Cemetery 801 Route 9 Fishkill, NY, 12524 , Previous Events Graveside Service , SEP 17.
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