Frank C Hess, Jr., 80, passed away after a long illness on Sunday, August 30, 2009 at Avalon Nursing Center in Mystic, CT.
Frank was born in Brooklyn, NY on November 9, 1928 to Ruth and Frank Sr. He graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelors of Science degree in accounting and served several years in the Marine Corps before retiring as a Major. Frank was a resident of Stamford for 40 years and an avid Dodgers fan. He travelled the world with his beloved wife, Aina, and their friends. In all, he visited over 100 countries both in pleasure travel and in his work as a director and officer for several large corporations. His positions included: Vice President for European operations for The Crane Company, Executive Vice President of AMF and Executive Vice President for The Continental Grain Company. Frank spent the last 17 years of his career as CFO for Daniel K. Ludwig with National Bulk Carriers. He had been the President of The King School Board Trustees and most recently became a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stamford. Though Frank lived with Parkinson's disease for nearly 20 years, he never let it define who he was, staying active on the residents’ council at Avalon where he lived for the last four years. He accepted his increasing difficulties with a grace and dignity few could achieve. He truly was an inspiration to us all.
Frank will be missed by his five children and their spouses, Mary Hess and her husband Bert, Bridget and Gary Reiss, Michael and Cindy Hess, Robert Hess and Eric Hess and his partner, Thomas Kilduff. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Aina, and his granddaughter Molly.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Avalon for their phenomenal care. They cared for dad as if he was their own. We especially wish to thank Doug Smith of Wilton for his friendship and support for the past several years. Donations in Frank’s memory can be made to Healing the Children Northeast, PO Box 129, New Milford, CT 06776 or http://htcne.org, a non-profit organization that provides necessary surgeries on American soil to poor and sick children from third-world nations.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 3 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, Stamford, CT.
“There are dreams in life from which one cannot wake. There are things gone wrong which seem too cruel a fate. That which should have been will never be. We can only carry on knowing he is free.” (anon).
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