Francis E. Minakowski

Francis E. Minakowski, known affectionally as Mink to his family and Frank to his friends, passed away Sunday, December 7, 2025 at his home in Boynton Beach.

He is survived by his wife, Hanh “Lisa” Minakowski, two daughters, Lisa A. Cleveland and Denise Minakowski, grandson, John Benjamin Cleveland, and granddaughter, Cameron T. Smith. Frank was predeceased by his son, John Minakowski.

Frank, the son of Frank and Helen (Archiewski) Minakowski, was born on July 29, 1937 and grew up in Frackville, Pennsylvania, with his brothers, Bernie and Ron, and sister, Joan. He enlisted in the US Air Force on December 7, 1955 and served as an aircraft radio repairman for four years, including fourteen months overseas.

After leaving the Air Force in December 1958, Frank worked as a Department of the Army civilian for almost 40 years, including 7 years in support of combat operations in Vietnam. While there, he met and married his wife, Hanh. After leaving Vietnam he served in Washington, Hawaii, and Korea, ending his career at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey.

Though he served all over the world and spent the last eight years of his life in Boynton Beach, Frank always remained true to his rural Pennsylvania roots. He had a quick wit, loved Costco Sangria, the Philadelphia Eagles, Penn State, thoroughbred horse racing, and, above all, his family.