CHICOPEE – Frank “Cornman” Soltys, Jr., 88, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, March 25, 2017. He passed into Eternal Life at the Soldier’s Home in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family, his wonderful caregivers and his comrades at arms. He was born at home in Chicopee on March 8, 1929, a beloved son of the late Frank Soltys, Sr. and Antonina (Jazab) Soltys. He was raised in Chicopee, attended Chicopee schools and was a lifelong resident of Chicopee. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War and attained the rank of Corporal. He received the Korean Service Medal with Three Bronze Service Stars, the United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He was employed as a truck driver for Conrail and the New York Central Railroad and previously worked for many years at the Willimansett Waste Company. He was a member of the Teamsters Local 404. He attended Sacred Heart Church in Springfield. Frank was known to many in Chicopee and the local area as the “Cornman”. Frank had the best butter and sugar corn in the area and operated a corn and vegetable stand for many years in the parking lot at the Buffalo Club in Fairview. He sold corn at cost to many organizations including the Knights of Columbus and Sunshine Village and donated corn to the Dominican Nuns, the Soldiers’ Home and many other places in the area. An avid skier, he was often seen “Tooting his Indian Horn” down the slopes at Mount Tom in Holyoke and Bretton Woods Ski Area in New Hampshire. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Alice J. Furman who was Called Home on April 10, 2010. They were married on May 6, 1950 at the Basilica of Saint Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr in Chicopee and were blessed with over 59 years of happiness together. He also leaves his two loving children, Sandra A. Parsons and her husband, Kenneth, of Chicopee and David M. Soltys of Haverhill, MA; his two cherished grandchildren, Gregory and Tricia Parsons; his dear sister, Stacia Sigda of West Springfield; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended members of the Soltys and Furman families. In addition to his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his dear brother, Stanley Soltys; and his dear sister, Genevieve Szatkowski. His funeral will be held on Monday morning, April 3, 2017 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 9:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. His Committal Service with United States Army Military Honors will follow the Mass at 1 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday morning, April 3, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. before the Mass. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Sisters of Saint Joseph, 577 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
