Frank Forde

Frank Forde, 90, of Avon Lake, Ohio, formerly of Girard, Ohio, passed away on Sunday May 3, 2015 at St. John's Medical Center in Westlake, Ohio.  Frank was born, October 6, 1924 in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of the late Anthony and Fannie Ruberto Forde.  Frank was a graduate of Rayen High School and joined the Army Air Force,  34th bomb group, from Feb. 12, 1943 to Oct. 17, 1945, achieving a Grade T Sgt. while serving his country in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, during WWII.  Frank flew in the B17 fighter plane & was a specialty trained bombardier/ airplane armorer/ gunner. He & his crew had multiple close calls in their 38 missions. He was awarded three Bronze Stars, one overseas bar,the Good Conduct Medal and Air Medal with four bronze clusters. He & his wife,Josephine, attended several 34th Bomb group reunions over the years held in multiple states. Frank was very proud of his service & enjoyed attending the annual air show in Cleveland every Labor Day weekend with various children & grandchildren. He even loved climbing into the planes as he explained all the plane's features to the interested spectators. He had worked as a construction worker, building the Ohio Turnpike, then had worked as a purchasing agent for Ohio Chair Co. until he retired in 1980.  Frank was a member of St. Rose Church in Girard, and had served as a city councilman for Girard. He enjoyed playing golf, and was on several leagues during his life, also playing poker and enjoyed watching all kinds of sports. He is survived by his children; Dr. Anthony A. (Mary) Forde of Brecksville, Ohio, Dr. Andrew A. (Chris) Forde of Hudson, Ohio, Mary Jo (Cliff) Allen of Willoughby, Ohio and Francine (Terry) Burke of Avon Lake, Ohio, sister Kathryn Shuba of Austintown, grandchildren; Ryan (Megan) Burke,Michelle Burke,Brittany (Brad) Johnson, Dana (Sean) Underwood, Amy Forde,Nathan, Frank, Jimmy, Marina Forde, Lauren Allen,Cliff (Nancy) Allen and great-grandchildren; Rory & Beckett Burke and Isabella & Nico Allen. He also leaves many nieces and nephews. Frank is preceded in death by his wife, Josephine (Naples), whom he married July 14, 1945 and died Dec. 6, 2013, brother Steve Forde and grandson Frank Forde Allen.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 12th, 11:00 AM, at St. Rose Church, preceded by a prayer service at 10:30 AM at Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard.  The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 4-8 PM at the funeral home.  Frank will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery with military honors.  Visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com to view this obituary and to send any condolences to the family.