Frank Walter Rusek

ASHAWAY - Frank Walter Rusek, 82, of Ashaway, peacefully passed into the arms of Our Lord on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, at home, surrounded by his family. He was the widower of Patricia Ann (McKiernan) Rusek.

Frank was born in Carbondale, Lackawanna County, Pa., on Dec. 15, 1931, the son of the late Bernice Rusek Kulick, of Carbondale. He was a graduate of Greenfield High School in Carbondale and Thames Valley Technical College in Connecticut. He served in Company E of the 109th Infantry Regiment in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and thereafter in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Bennington during the Korean Conflict, receiving two service medals. He was later employed as a chemist at Pfizer Central Research in Groton, Conn., retiring in 1993 after 35 years of distinguished service that included invention of the patented Rusek Drying Funnel, a major innovation in laboratory glassware.

Frank enjoyed gardening, bird watching, oil painting, fishing, cooking, reading, home improvement projects, boating, travel, hunting, Red Sox baseball, Patriots football, and especially spending time with his family.

He was predeceased by his beloved brother, Joseph Kulick, of Mayfield; and sister, Joyce Chopko Ceccarelli, of Jermyn.

Frank is survived by three sisters, Joanne Schoonover, of Great Bend; Loretta Bomba, of Mayfield; Patricia Colachino and husband, Jerry, of Scott Township; and a sister-in-law, Barbara Kulick, of Mayfield. He is also survived by his five children, son, Blaise Rusek, of Sinking Spring, Pa.; daughter, Daryl Holmes and her husband, Billy Joe, of Thibodaux, La.; son, Derek Rusek, of Smithfield, R.I.; son, Ryan Rusek, of Port Jervis, N.Y.; and daughter, Regan Schaen and her husband, Eric, of Scotland, Conn. In addition, he is survived by eight grandchildren, Christopher Holmes, Brandon Rusek, James Rusek, Kelly Rusek, Chelsea Ross, Blaise Rusek, Jr., James Ross, and Erin Rusek; as well as three great-grandchildren, Olivia Hoffner, Gwenevere Rusek, and Gavin Hoffner.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the following people for their special care and kindness: Cherie Weed and family; Shirley Wright; Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island; Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island; Rushlow-Iacoi Funeral Home & Crematory; and all other friends and neighbors.

Friends are invited to a viewing on Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 10 to 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church, 169 Main Street, Ashaway, R.I., followed by a Mass of Christian burial beginning at 11 a.m. Full military honors will take place after the Mass, at the church. Interment will be private at the request of the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.rushlowiacoifuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904, (401-415-4200, 1-800-338-6555), or www.hhcri.org/HowtoGive/HowtoGive.aspx).