Frank Joseph Samsel

95, A life well lived!
Frank was born in Cleveland, while in grade school his family moved back to his mother's family home in Olmsted Township, Ohio after his father was injured working as a Cleveland police officer. Frank grew up quickly, as a young teenager he worked at Baldwin Wallace, setting up chairs and tending the boilers. It was there he was asked to help pace a young hurdler (Harrison Dillard.) In High School he was an original member of the Olmsted Township Fire Department. As WWII ended, he was graduating high school and worked on the docks, eventually sailing for two seasons as a deckhand. He worked briefly for American Shipbuilding in Lorain, before being drafted for the Korean War. He served his country in Germany and returned home.
Upson Walton Company hired him as a travelling salesman covering Southern Ohio, WV, KY, and western PA. While living in Pittsburgh he met his wife Lois (deceased) and they were married for 45 years. In April 1958, he started his business Samsel Rope in the Flats of Cleveland and eventually purchased the Marine Division of Upson Walton three years later. He initially supplied wire rope and rigging to customers, following the Upson purchase he branched into the marine supply company. Samsel Rope & Marine began serving the marine industry throughout the Great Lakes.
In the late 1960's, the Cuyahoga River was covered with oil and debris. Several fires occurred, Frank decided to build a vessel that could clear debris and oil from the river. Using a boat builder in Erie, he built the Putzfrau, (German for Cleaning Lady,) which had a vactor system for removing oil and a crane for removing debris. He formed an environmental service company, originally Pollution Recovery Systems, which became Samsel Services.
Frank built his own ultralight experimental airplane and learned aerobatics in a biplane. Following his retirement, he remained involved with environmental education through the Great Lakes Historical Society, renamed National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL), and Metroparks. Frank continued to volunteer at the NMGL and participated in the moving of the museum to Toledo. Frank spent time actively working and supporting his faith community. He was also a member of the Associated Wire Rope Fabricators and Experimental Aircraft Association.
Frank was preceded in death by his loving wife of 45 years, Lois (nee Brady) and his parents, Frank K. and Stella (nee Kujawa) Samsel and his sister Alberta Surman. He leaves five children: Kathleen Petrick (Stewart deceased), Michael (Joan), Marybeth Allen (John), Christopher (Carol), and Barbara Seciliot (David); five grandchildren: Jacob (Kylie), Marissa, and Nathan Samsel and Douglas and Gayle Petrick and one great grandson: Trevor Samsel; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass is Friday, January 23rd 10:30 AM, at Holy Spirit Parish, 410 Lear Road, Avon Lake, a celebration of a life well lived to follow in the Church Hall.
The family asks in lieu of flowers for donations to be made to National Museum of the Great Lakes 1701 Front Street, Toledo, Ohio 43605, or Holy Spirit Parish 410 Lear Road, Avon Lake, Ohio 44012