Ralph Frank Novotny

NOVOTNY, Ralph Frank, 91, of Tampa, passed away November 1, 2010. He was born in Tonawanda, N.Y to Victor and Rose Novotny. He was educated in Tonawanda public schools. In March 1941, he entered the U.S. Army and trained to be an infantryman. His unit was sent to the Pacific area in January 1942. He saw combat in New Guinea and in the Philippines. He was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the Bronze Star. He was discharged in 1945. In 1948 he joined the army reserve. His unit was ordered to active duty in February

1952. He served during the Korean and Vietnam wars in Italy and Germany as a guided missile repairman. He retired from the military in 1968 and moved to Tampa. He worked for Alert Air Conditioning & Heating, and retired from the James A. Haley V.A Hospital. His beloved wife, Virginia, and his brothers, Henry and Walter Novotny, preceded him in death. He is survived by his sisters, Victoria Strehlow, Ruth and Marie Novotny; his sons, Michael and John Novotny; daughters, Nina (Mark) Konopasek, Mary Novotny and Linda Lynch; grand-children, Amy, Kellie and Tim Konopasek, John II (Ashley), Melissa and Kristen Novotny, and Kelsey and Megan Lynch; and his great- grandson, John Novotny III; his nephew, Cliff Strehlow, and his niece, Holly Yager; and numerous great-nieces and nephews, and great-grand nephews and nieces. Friends will be received 10-11 a.m. with service at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 4, 2010, at Brewer & Sons Funeral Home 7701 W. Hillsborough Ave., burial to follow at Curlew Hills with full military honors. Brewer & Sons

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