Frank Kreiger Jr.

1943 - 2021

Frank Arthur Kreiger, Jr., 78, of Poquoson, VA, passed away peacefully at home on November 1st, surrounded by his family.

Frank is survived by Madonna, his wife of 54 years, and their five children, Dolores (Geoffrey), Jennifer (Larry), Steven (Mallory), Sarah (Brian), and Kathleen (Brian). He also had 11 grandchildren and great grandchildren, Hannah, Stephen, Haylee, Henry, William, George, Mary, Jack, James, Zoey and River whom he adored and who lovingly called him "Pop". Frank is also survived by his sister Janet Kreiger McLaughlin and numerous nieces and nephews. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Arthur Kreiger Sr. and Mary Cavanaugh Kreiger of Watervliet, NY and his brother-in-law Edward F. McLaughlin.

Aside from his family, Frank's greatest devotion and commitment was to his country. Frank honorably served as an officer in the United States Air Force for 24 years retiring as a Major and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. His proudest service accomplishment was assisting the country of Spain to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). For his service in Vietnam, Frank was awarded the Bronze Star for his distinguished and meritorious actions in support of air crews while he was in extreme danger from enemy mortar and rocket attacks. In addition to the Bronze Star, he earned numerous other distinguished service medals and awards during his Air Force career.

Prior to joining the Air Force, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from St. Michaels College in Colchester, VT and later in his career earned a Master of Arts degree in Administration of Higher Education from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Following his dedication to his country, Frank continued his call to service as a proud elected community leader for almost 20 years on both the Poquoson School Board, including serving as Chairman, and the Poquoson City Council. With his wife Madonna, Frank created the Poquoson Empty Stocking Fund non-profit organization and worked tirelessly and selflessly for over 18 years each Christmas season to provide in-need community families with holiday gifts and food. He was instrumental in starting the Poquoson Barracudas summer swim team in the 1980's and was an active and long-standing member of the Poquoson Exchange Club and the Poquoson Yacht Club. He was also active in the American Legion and Knights of Columbus. For many years, Frank served as a eucharistic minister at the parish of St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Tabb, VA and his deep Catholic faith was a constant throughout his lifetime.

Frank was born on August 27th, 1943, in Watervliet, NY and extensively lived and traveled internationally and domestically throughout his Air Force career before finally settling in Virginia. While Frank called Poquoson home for more than three decades, he also maintained a strong connection with his hometown region in New York and spent vacations and his retirement summers at his family lake home in Grafton, NY. Affectionately known as "Ace" by several generations of Taconic Lake Association families and members, his childhood exploits and deep sense of maintaining family and community traditions provided inspiration to his children and grandchildren for countless hours of summertime fun.

Frank was a committed recreational golfer, an avid traveler, a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants, a classic country music aficionado, and never shy of being the first on the wedding reception dance floor. He led an exemplary life with family, faith, duty, community, and service as his foundations.

Visitation will be held at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church in Tabb, VA on Friday, November 5 at 10 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions to the Exchange Club of Poquoson (P.O. BOX 2036, Poquoson, VA 23662) and Objective Zero Foundation (https://www.objectivezero.org/donate) for their support of veterans and the military community, both organizations in which Frank deeply believed.

Frank will be laid to rest in a private family service at Arlington National Cemetery.