Francis "Frank" William Waresak Sr.
April 4, 1940 — January 2, 2024
Francis “Frank” William Waresak, 83, passed away at home in his sleep and was welcomed into heaven to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on January 2, 2024. A man of ingenuity, independence, strength, and broad talents, Frank will be remembered for his resolute faith, steadfast love of his family, and his astonishing ability to get the job done, no matter how impossible it might seem. As a devoted husband and a loving father and Poppop, he was always there when his family needed him.
Frank was born on April 4, 1940, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, to Lena (Pietropolo) Waresak and Frank Waresak. A gifted athlete, Frank excelled in baseball and basketball, and was an all-state football player at Pottstown High School. He went on to play for the 1958–1962 Nittany Lions football team at Penn State University, where he graduated with a business degree. In 1962, he married Margery Ann Sweda, his high school sweetheart, at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church in Pottstown, and together they shared a life of adventure and love.
Frank began his work career in the insurance industry. In 1970, while living in State College, Pennsylvania, Frank became an owner of the Boalsburg Steak House. Frank cooked, tended bar, and managed the restaurant while he and Margery were growing their family. Frank also had a knack for fixing up houses, and after selling the restaurant, he went into the construction business, specializing in building and renovating homes. An entrepreneur at heart, Frank always preferred the creativity and autonomy of working for himself. One of his greatest joys was to instruct and watch his children and grandchildren participate in countless sports and extracurricular activities. He was an avid sports fan of Penn State and the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. He enjoyed fly fishing in the back streams of Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
Frank was also a connoisseur of good music and a gifted musician himself, playing the accordion, organ, and piano.
In 1982, Frank and his family moved to Longwood, Florida. Family obligations would take them back to Pennsylvania and then to North Carolina, but eventually they returned to Florida for their retirement, where Frank enjoyed fishing, cooking, watching sports, playing cards, and visiting with family and friends.
Frank, a devout Christian, attended local churches in his various hometowns, most recently Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Celebration, Florida, where he and his wife, Marge, were faithfully active for 14 years.
Frank will be lovingly remembered by Marge, his wife of 61 years; his children, Francis “Frank” Jr. (Penny) Waresak, Michael (Sandra) Waresak, Laura (Steve) Textor, Joseph (Sherry) Waresak, Christine Waresak (David French), and Margaret (Jay) LaPlante; his grandchildren, Tyler (Brooke) Waresak, Stevie (fiancée, Audrey) Textor, Francis, “Frankie” III (Hannah) Waresak, Danielle (Justin) Young, Ryan (Cameron) Textor, Matthew Waresak, Zachary Waresak, Emily Waresak, Gabriel LaPlante and Veronica LaPlante; his great-grandchildren, Ellie Waresak, Nathan Waresak, Abigail Waresak, and Asher Young; and his brother Joseph (Anita) Waresak.
Frank was the rock of his large family, and truly lived by the motto, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
The family is holding a private celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local church or favorite charity in Frank’s memory.
Frank was born on April 4, 1940, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, to Lena (Pietropolo) Waresak and Frank Waresak. A gifted athlete, Frank excelled in baseball and basketball, and was an all-state football player at Pottstown High School. He went on to play for the 1958–1962 Nittany Lions football team at Penn State University, where he graduated with a business degree. In 1962, he married Margery Ann Sweda, his high school sweetheart, at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church in Pottstown, and together they shared a life of adventure and love.
Frank began his work career in the insurance industry. In 1970, while living in State College, Pennsylvania, Frank became an owner of the Boalsburg Steak House. Frank cooked, tended bar, and managed the restaurant while he and Margery were growing their family. Frank also had a knack for fixing up houses, and after selling the restaurant, he went into the construction business, specializing in building and renovating homes. An entrepreneur at heart, Frank always preferred the creativity and autonomy of working for himself. One of his greatest joys was to instruct and watch his children and grandchildren participate in countless sports and extracurricular activities. He was an avid sports fan of Penn State and the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. He enjoyed fly fishing in the back streams of Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
Frank was also a connoisseur of good music and a gifted musician himself, playing the accordion, organ, and piano.
In 1982, Frank and his family moved to Longwood, Florida. Family obligations would take them back to Pennsylvania and then to North Carolina, but eventually they returned to Florida for their retirement, where Frank enjoyed fishing, cooking, watching sports, playing cards, and visiting with family and friends.
Frank, a devout Christian, attended local churches in his various hometowns, most recently Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Celebration, Florida, where he and his wife, Marge, were faithfully active for 14 years.
Frank will be lovingly remembered by Marge, his wife of 61 years; his children, Francis “Frank” Jr. (Penny) Waresak, Michael (Sandra) Waresak, Laura (Steve) Textor, Joseph (Sherry) Waresak, Christine Waresak (David French), and Margaret (Jay) LaPlante; his grandchildren, Tyler (Brooke) Waresak, Stevie (fiancée, Audrey) Textor, Francis, “Frankie” III (Hannah) Waresak, Danielle (Justin) Young, Ryan (Cameron) Textor, Matthew Waresak, Zachary Waresak, Emily Waresak, Gabriel LaPlante and Veronica LaPlante; his great-grandchildren, Ellie Waresak, Nathan Waresak, Abigail Waresak, and Asher Young; and his brother Joseph (Anita) Waresak.
Frank was the rock of his large family, and truly lived by the motto, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
The family is holding a private celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local church or favorite charity in Frank’s memory.
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