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Contact Info
Home Town Queens, New York
Last Address Cocoa, Florida
Date of Passing Jun 10, 2014
Wall/Plot Coordinates Burial location unknown.
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Francis X. Gannon (Frank, FX), 86, of Cocoa Beach, FL, passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at home. Frank was born on June 6, 1928 in Corona, Queens, NY to Dennis George and Catherine (Ryan) Gannon. Frank elected to leave High School early to enlist with the United States Navy at age 17 (with his parent's consent). He served on destroyers in the Asiatic Fleet immediately following World War II, visiting many ports in China, Japan, and the islands in-between, until the start of the Korean War, at which time he was assigned to the USS Fecthler and was sent to Korea. He later served as an Instructor at the Navy's Sonar School in San Diego, CA. He was a member of the National Order of Sonarmen.
After his discharge from the Navy Frank worked an Apprentice at Con Edison until 1951 when he attended Champlain College, studying engineering, later transferring to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Troy, NY, where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1955. After completing all the requirements and experience, received his Professional Engineers License in the states of NY and FL.
Upon graduation, Frank went to work for Poirier & McLane Corp. While at Poirier & McLane, Frank continued his Naval career, receiving a direct commission in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps as an Ensign. In 1970, Governor Nelson D. Rockefeller appointed him Lieutenant Commander in the New York State Naval Militia. He rose to the rank of Captain, Commanding Officer of a Military Construction Battalion (Seabees) and was then Commanding Officer of the Northern Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command.
Following Poirier & McLane, Frank returned to work for Con Edison in NY, where he was superintendent of construction, retiring in 1991.
Retiring to Florida where he traded his love of flying for sailing and bought a sailboat; he and Mary achieved success in many races with a multitude of trophies.
He has been a member of Our Saviour's Church since living in Florida.
He was elected a fellow in the Chi Epsilon Fraternity (the National Civil Engineering Society of the United States), a member of the National Society of Sonarmen, President of West Nyack Flying Club, Commodore of Cocoa Beach Boating Club and past president of Harbor Isles Condominium Association. In recent years, Frank volunteered with the Cocoa Beach Police Department (Citizens Observer Patrol).
Frank is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary, and children, Maureen (Gary) Slater, Gina Gannon, Chris (AnnMarie) Gannon, Dennis (Martha) Gannon and Marcia (Russell) Black; grandchildren, Ryan, Kyle, Rachel, Kaitlynn, Lauren, Mary Grace, Patrick and many nieces and nephews and sister, Suzanne (Dan) Murphy. He is predeceased by his sister, Kathleen McDonald and nephew, Frank McDonald.
Frank was a good husband, great father, a kind man and friend to many.
Our many thanks to Drs. Leyte, Rayner, Watts and the staff of Cape Canaveral Hospital and St. Francis Hospice for their care and compassion.
Funeral services are as follows: Visitation at Beckman- Williamson Funeral Home, Cocoa Beach, 2 - 4 p.m., Sunday, June 15, 2014. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 16, 2014 at Our Saviour's Catholic Church.
Donations in Frank's memory may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society, Our Saviour's Church, 5301 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. You may sign Frank's guestbook at beckman-williamson.com.
Published in FLORIDA TODAY from June 13 to June 15, 2014
