Obituary of Francis Joseph Solinski

Frank Solinski, 93, passed away April 24, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on 9/10/1923 to Francis J. Solinski Jr. and Kathryn (Sika) Solinski in Essexville Michigan, graduated in 1941 From St. John's Catholic high school in Essexville. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, eventually becoming a radio repairman with the rank of Technical Sergeant. Landed at Normandy on D Day +3 and served the entire European War in the 9th Air Force, attached to Patton's 3rd Army as a member of a fighter aircraft director team. Frank returned home and married his wife of 32 years Leona Patricia Tomasko. From 1948 to 1951 Frank earned an Aeronautical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree from Parks College of Aeronautical Technology of St. Louis University. He began his engineering career at the McDonnell aircraft company in St. Louis, but quickly moved to Goodyear Aerospace in Akron Ohio. Frank worked for Goodyear from 8/15/51 to his retirement on 10/1/85 during that time he worked on such projects as the US. Navy's ZPG-2 and -3W patrol blimps, SUBROC and CAPTOR. On the civilian side of the business he made major contributions to the "Skytacular" night sign that is found on all of the Goodyear advertising blimps, the inboard flaps of all DC-10 and KC-10 jumbo jets, and many other projects. He held over a dozen patents in his time with Goodyear. After his time with Goodyear Frank's passion became the Akron Silver League Softball organization. He started as one of the founding members in 1986 and has played every season since. Frank, at age 93 was just one game short of being the OLDEST man to ever play softball with the league. Frank is survived by his only son Thomas Solinski and his wife Ann of Oklahoma City; Grandson Patrick Solinski and family; Step-Grandson Matthew Klein; Beloved nieces and nephews Walter and Cathy Paruch and family, Tim and Annette Kane and family, Frank and Tina Gulczinski and family, Tim and Mia Nowak and family, Robert and Karen Nowak and family, Thad and Connie Nowak and family, Marilyn (Gwizdala) Shafer and family, Marion and Merry Gwizdala and family, Mark Solinski, & Dr. Corey and Mary Lou (Solinski) Evans and family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at 10 am at St. Paul Catholic Church 1580 Brown St. Akron, OH 44301. Committal of ashes will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church. (Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, AKRON)