AGAWAM – Francis “Frank” J. Duda, 87, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2017 at home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Sunderland, MA on January 14, 1930 to the late Michael and Elizabeth (Perohonis) Duda, he attended St. Michael’s High School in Northampton and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from Holyoke Community College in 1955. The same year, he married Dorothy LaSalle. A veteran of the United States Navy, he served aboard the carrier USS Midway as a flight engineer during the Korean War. Having worked for Swift, Inc. and retiring in 1992 after 38 years, he also co-owned Chardan Foods from 1979-1983. He was an accomplished drummer for 35 years, playing for many local bands. Besides his parents, Frank was predeceased by his brother Richard Duda and his brothers-in- law Robert LaSalle and Frederick MacInnis. To cherish his memory, he leaves his loving wife Dorothy Duda; children David and his wife Nancy Tanana, James and his wife Sharon, and Karen Foley and her husband Christopher; grandchildren Joseph, Jill, Sheila, Meghan and her husband Regin, Samantha and Brendan; great grandchildren Savannah and Luisa and his sister Barbara Hurley and her husband Thomas. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 from 4-7 PM at Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home 985 Main Street, Agawam, MA. Funeral services will begin at 9:45 AM at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Northampton, MA. Memorial contributions in Frank’s name may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Service Information
Visitation
Tuesday
July 25, 20174:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home
985 Main Street
Agawam, MA 01001
Service
Wednesday
July 26, 201711:00 AM to TBD
St. John the Evangelist Church
833 Main Street
Agawam, MA 01001
Cemetery
St. Mary's Cemetery (Northampton)
P.O. Box 180
Norhampton, MA 01060