Frank J. Baginski

WEST RUTLAND - Frank "Buggy" J. Baginski died peacefully on August 4, 2016, at the age of 83, following a long illness.
He was born September 1, 1932, the son of John and Helen (Sutkoski) Baginski and shared his birthday with his first born child, Leslie Susan. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Betty (Haven) Baginski of West Rutland, Vt.; one daughter, Leslie S. Baginski of Irvine, CA; two sons James J. Baginski of Honolulu, HI, and Stephen M. Baginski and wife, Kaleo, of Kailua, HI; six grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Joseph (Eleanor) LeFrancois of Rutland, VT.; several cousins, nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents and his favorite aunt and uncle, Peter and Agnes Oczechowski, and their sons, Michael, Charlie and sister Jane (Oczechowski) Clifford; and aunt, Irene Baginski.
He was a life member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church and attended St. Stanislaus Kostka elementary. He was a 1950 graduate of West Rutland High School, earning varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. As a sophomore, he traveled to Boston Gardens with the West Rutland Varsity basketball team to play for the championship.
He served his country in the U.S. Naval Air, PR3, PRAN from June 1950 through January of 1955 where his Squadron Twenty Two patrolled the Formosa Strait and China Coast from 1954 to Nov. of 1955 during the Korean War. He was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation. He also trained with the amphibious unit, which is now the Navy SEALs.
Upon returning from the service, he worked for Commercial Credit until 1959, when he became an agent for Metropolitan Life, where he achieved Honor Club for 12 years and progressed to sales manager of the Rutland office in 1969. Upon his retirement, he stayed busy picking up and delivering cars for many local dealerships, traveling throughout New England.
He was a 61-year member of West Rutland American Legion Post #87, where he served as commander for two years and participated in the Color Guard, folding and presenting flags at every funeral for many years with his best friend and cousin, Michael (Mitch) Oczechowski. He belonged to the West Rutland Booster Club, serving as an usher at local games and served as secretary of the West Rutland Alumni Association 1970-71 and became its president in 1972. He loved to ski and was a member of the Otter Ski Patrol, the oldest ski patrol in the country, and became a member of the National Ski Patrol in 1975. He was a member of Loyal Order of Elks and a member of the Moose Club.
Frank loved his trips to Hawaii to see his children and grandchildren, duck hunting, his pickup truck and the Red Sox.
Visiting hours will be held Monday, August 8, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 9, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in West Rutland. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery.
Donations can be made in his memory to The United Church of West Rutland, P.O. Box 461 West Rutland, VT 05777.