With faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and hope in the Resurrection, we share the news of the unexpected passing of Frank Bakaysa, a beloved member of our church in Irvona. Frank fell asleep in the Lord peacefully at his home yesterday, Monday, October 14, 2024, at the age of 81.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 16, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Gibbons Funeral Home in Coalport, with a panikhida chanted near its conclusion at 7:30 p.m. The burial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, at St. Michael’s Orthodox Church in Irvona. Interment will follow at St. Basil the Great Roman Catholic Cemetery. Friends and family are invited back to St. Michael’s Hall for a mercy meal held in Frank’s honor.
We remember Frank as he was this past Sunday—joyfully attending the church he was a lifelong member of, faithfully maintaining the candle stand, keeping track of St. Michael’s collection, and staying after services to socialize with friends at St. Michael’s Hall. Following Liturgy yesterday, Frank enjoyed the things he loved, including watching the Steelers game with his son Doug, a longtime friend of our parish. It was only when Frank was not seen on his daily trips to Coalport that Doug went to check on him and found his father sitting peacefully in his chair, morning paper in hand, having just finished breakfast.
In addition to his faithful service to St. Michael’s Church, where he served on the council for countless years, Frank loved hunting and fishing, often retreating to the woods with his son, especially after his retirement from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Frank was also a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve, 92nd Field Artillery in Clearfield, and a member of the Glendale Sportsmen Association. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley, who fell asleep in 2015, as well as seven brothers and sisters; Frank was the youngest of eight. He is survived by Doug, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, Doug kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Michael’s Church in Frank’s memory. An obituary and an online guestbook will be posted later today here.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, Frank, and for his loving son, Doug, as he mourns the loss of his father. May they find solace from God through your prayers.
May Frank’s memory be eternal!