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Frank J. Farkas

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August 6, 1924 – July 6, 2013

Frank J. Farkas went home with his Lord and to join his wife, Mary Ellen, Saturday, July 6, 2013. He passed very peacefully from heart and lung disease in his daughter’s loving home with family by his side.

He was born August 6, 1924, a son of Frank and Elizabeth Vince Farkas.

Mr. Farkas was an avid fishermen and hunter. He was a true essence of a father, a real family man and a good, loving person.

He was very proud to serve in the Merchant Marines in the Pacific during World War II.

For more than 40 years, he worked as a master mason in the steel mills of Southwestern Pennsylvania. He retired as a bricklayer foreman at Washington Steel Plant, Melt Shop, of Houston. He always enjoyed working with other workers and friends. He was proud of his technological ideas that improved output in his division, saving the company money. He was blessed with the skills of cutting brick by tool in hand.

Mr. Farkas was a generous man, who built many brick homes near his, for family and friends, usually for little or no compensation. He designed a fake stone design for the facing of his own home. He was so very proud of it. He told his family that God talked to him, and he did it. Then, he taught his oldest son, Gabe, this gift.

As a young father, he spent most weekends with his wife, six kids and friends, camping and fishing along the Allegheny River and at Pymatuming Lake in Linesville. His fishing saved his life, and he relayed to all about how the doctor told him that his pursuit of this fish saved his life at a time when he was having a stroke. He caught the biggest trout he had ever seen.

In June 1946, he married Mary Ellen Cvitkovic, the love of his life, who died in 1986.

Surviving are six children, Gabe Farkas of Texas, Deborah Farkas-Bass (Gerald Stephen) of Florida, Amy Lee Farkas (Barbara Callihan) of Virginia, Georgianna Farkas, Russell F. Farkas (Von Harmon) and Frankie Farkas (Kimmie), all of Pennsylvania; grandchildren Donna Farkas-Hayes and children Gregory and Scot Hayes, Robert, Vern and Penny Griffith, Jaime Kelly-Beamon (Joe) and children Maryeva “Meme” and Olivia, Jay Kelly (Marsha Rhudd) and children Cheyanne, JJ and Jeannine “Julz” Kelly, Russal Miniotas (Ray) and children Graig, Billy, Blayze, Bailey, Bryce, Mark Farkas, Christopher Farkas, Shawn Farkas (Tiffany) and children Chad, Dillion and Karissa, Russell “Buddy” Farkas Jr. and son Aeron; a sister, Elizabeth “Liz” Monaci; daughter-in-law Jeannie Purvis, mother of Donna; extended family Gayle (Alexis), Gerri, Darlene and Donna Rea; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are siblings Mary Marich, Evie Zebich, Ralph Farkas and Gabriel Farkas, who died during World War II.

At the request of the deceased, there will be no visitation. A celebration of his life will be celebrated at Community Friendship Church, where white V-neck T-shirt attire is requested. His request was “Take a child and go fishing. Have fun and enjoy life … I did!”

Arrangements have been entrusted to McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342. Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.

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