Frank S. Bondor

Frank S Bondor

Frank Samuel Bondor, a resident of New Canaan for 51 years, died in his sleep, at home, with his loving family at his side on Oct 20 He was in declining health the past four years

He was the devoted husband of Anna Mae Begala Bondor, for 62 years, and the loving father of Franklin Lee Bondor (Peggy) of Geneva, NY, Douglas Bondor (Lois) of Bloomsbury, NJ, Christopher Paul Bondor of New Canaan, and Carol Ann Sperry (Kevin) of Hamilton, Mass He was also the proud grandfather of Bradford William Bondor, Juliana Elizabeth Bondor, Emily Louise Bondor, Benjamin Christopher Bondor, Elizabeth Ann Bondor, Morgan Rose Sperry, and Erin Begala Sperry

Frank was born in Youngstown, Ohio on Dec 19, 1927 to Istvan and Magdolna Bondor He grew up in a close-knit, mixed immigrant community where he attended Bennett Grade School and graduated as the class valedictorian from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1946 Frank was the youngest of six sons He served in the US Army as a radio operator stationed in Seoul, South Korea in 1946 In 1951, he graduated with honors from Case Institute of Technology, earning a BS in Chemical Engineering There he became a member of Tau Beta Phi and Alpha Chi Sigma After graduation, Frank went to work for Houdry Process Co as a Chemical Process Engineer

He and Anna Mae were married in 1951, and made their first home in Wilmington, Del Later, he joined Arthur G McKee as a Project Manager and moved to Wickliffe, Ohio, where he and Anna Mae bought their first home There he quickly became involved in community and church work Several years later, he joined Bechtel, and moved to New Canaan with Anna Mae and their three sons During his 41-year career he worked for Lummus, Crawford and Russell, Peabody, GE, Aerojet, and AIG Several patents bear his name After retirement, he volunteered as a math and science tutor at New Canaan High School

Frank's greatest joy was his family He was a devoted father, and served as a leader in Indian Guides, Indian Princesses, Cub Scouts, and as a Scoutmaster for Troop 70 Each year, he took a long vacation with his family, including the extended family clan in the more recent decades, to destinations in the Finger Lakes, Vermont, Jamestown, R I, and Nantucket Family expeditions included Nova Scotia, the Great Smoky Mountains, the Adirondacks and the Grand Canyon (including a memorable hike to the base and back in July 1978) He loved driving his motor home

Frank was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan for more than 50 years He served as a deacon, taught Sunday School, mentored confirmands, and was a Stephen Minister He also sang in the choir for many years, including two European concert tours

Frank's hobbies included coin collecting, playing the harmonica, singing, designing, and building things He built a tree house for his children, made three additions to the family home, and designed two homes for family members in Ohio He also belonged to the New Canaan Dance Club, Gentlemen Songsters, was a Master Mason with the Harmony Lodge #67, and belonged to the VFW He loved his neighbors and his home

A celebration of his life will take place with a memorial service and reception at the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan, 178 Oenoke Ridge, on Nov 23, at noon For directions call 203-966-0002

In lieu of flowers, contributions in the memory of Frank Bondor can be made to the First Presbyterian Church Choir Fund, 178 Oenoke Ridge Road, New Canaan, CT 06840 or to the Boy Scouts of America

- The Family