Charles Franklin Faddis

Charles Franklin

Faddis

It is with great sadness that the family of Charles Franklin Faddis, a resident of Gulf Breeze, FL, announces his passing after an extended illness, on Friday, April 25, 2014, at the age of 83 years. "Frank," as he was affectionately known by his family and friends, was born to his mother, Maria Naomi Faddis, and father, Benjamin Franklin Faddis, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 16, 1930.

Frank spent his childhood in Philadelphia and attended Frankford High School. Not only was he an accomplished student, but he was also a stellar athlete, helping his football team win the Philadelphia city championship in 1947. Upon graduation in 1948, Frank joined the Naval ROTC Program at Columbia University in New York City, N.Y., where he graduated in 1953, thereafter beginning his service with the United States Navy. He received his wings at Pensacola NAS and was eventually assigned as a Lieutenant to Squadron VP-18. He primarily flew the P2V-4 Neptune - an anti-submarine, long range patrol airplane equipped for torpedo attack, mine laying, bombing, and photo reconnaissance. During his squadron's duty stay at Keflavik AFB outside Reykjavik, Iceland in 1955, he met his future wife Thorunn. In 1956, he sponsored her immigration to the United States so she could attend the graduate program at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Eventually, Frank and Thorunn landed in Pensacola, Florida, after Frank was assigned as a flight instructor at Saufley Field. Following his service in the U.S. Navy, Frank began his real estate career and founded Realty Marts International in 1963, a very well respected commercial and residential real estate brokerage firm. After selling his interest in this business, Frank started Com-Land Group, a commercial land development business in which he remained active until his illness. Frank enjoyed a distinguished and successful career in the real estate business, including being named by then Governor Ruben Askew to the Florida Real Estate Commission, where he ultimately served as its Chairman in 1975.

Frank is survived by his beautiful wife Thorunn, their four children, and their spouses and grandchildren: daughter Michele Faddis, and grandchildren Bryan Jones and Harlan Faddis of Atlanta, GA; son Eric Faddis and daughter-in-law Tiffany Faddis, and grandchildren Brockton Faddis, and Kaitlyn Faddis of Orlando, FL; daughter Frances Tanner and son-in-law Lindsey Tanner, and grandchildren Natalie Tanner, Kristina Tanner, and Dillon Tanner of Buena Vista, CO; and daughter Sherri Donahoe and son-in-law Michael Donahoe, and grandchildren Jack Donahoe and Elliott Donahoe of Roswell, GA. Frank is also survived by his brother, Noel Faddis, of Gulf Breeze, FL, and brother, Eric Faddis, of Ambler, PA.

The family elected to undertake private services for Frank. Interment was held at Bayview Memorial Park in Pensacola, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation in Pensacola, FL, under the Charter in Memoriam, which will carry Frank's name in perpetuity. Frank was among the founding supporters of the Naval Aviation Museum, along with both a number of his Navy peers and local businessmen and leaders of this community. The Museum, free to the public, quickly became a world-class destination for thousands of visitors. For more information, contact Stephanie Pugh at the Museum 1-800-327-5002, spugh@navalaviationmuseum.org, 1750 Radford Blvd., NAS Pensacola, FL 32508.

Condolences may be offered at www.bayviewfisher-pouchapel.com.



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