Frank J. Gwodz

Wasilla resident Frank J. Gwodz, 86, died in his sleep Nov. 21, 2012, at Granny’s Down Home Care Assisted Living in Wasilla.

Father Scott of Sacred Heart Catholic Church will officiate at a celebration of life in memory of Frank at 11 a.m., Nov. 27 at Valley Funeral Home, 151 E. Herning Ave., Wasilla.

Frank was born May 17, 1926, in Detroit, Mich. He graduated from St. John Cantus High School in 1944. Frank started working when he was 13 as an optician’s assistant; he had a real knack for it. He could accurately grind the lens to match the doctor’s prescription. When Frank was 18 he purchased his own optical shop, and ran it until he was approached to sell it for $750. After selling the optical shop, Frank bought a tool and die shop and successfully ran that for a while. Frank also attended the Detroit Institute of Technology where he studied engineering.

He honorably served in the United States Air Force for four years. After serving in the Air Force, Frank moved to California to try his hand at real estate. Frank enjoyed working many hours transacting real estate purchases and especially found he enjoyed reaching out to clients to list their homes for sale. Frank also found he loved photography he spent many hours photographing plays in Ojai, Calif., weddings, industrial props for businesses as well as marquees for the studios. Frank was employed by the United States Civil Service for 36 years and his “attention to detail” suited him for the position of a Quality Assurance Evaluator. Frank worked on such programs as the Space Shuttle and the Titan Missile Program at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Frank married Denise Olson on Feb. 12, 1983. The couple made their home in Wasilla Alaska for 15 years after Frank’s retirement from Civil Service. Frank enjoyed collecting and reading ancient history books, was an avid photographer and thoroughly enjoyed wood working. After retirement he built a woodshop where he enjoyed many hours working on projects. He took pride in his shop being well organized and supplied with good equipment.

Franks wife wrote: “Frank enjoyed spending time at Carrs coffee shop in Wasilla with his friends catching up on the latest news while enjoying their company and joyful laughter. Frank will be remembered for his interesting and amusing stories he told everyone. He loved his friends and family and he will be missed.”

Surviving are his wife, Denise; daughter, Phyllis Brugger of New Bury Park, Calif.; grandchildren, Dan Van Rossen, (Stephanie) of Cornelius, N.C. and Jennifer Brugger of Beverly Hills, Calif.; great grandchildren, Jimmy Wallet, Blake Van Rossen and Kelsey Van Rossen; great nephews and nieces, Andrew LaPlante, Megan LaPlante, Jared LaPlante, and Matthew and Emily Brown; siblings, Robert (Sadea) Gwodz, Burbank, Calif. and Mary Lou (Al) LaPlante Tehachapi, Calif.; nephews and niece, Greg, (Dede) LaPlante, Westcliffe, Colo., David (Janet) LaPlante, Little Rock, Calif., Sharon (Chris) Brown, Castaic, Calif.; and sister-in-law, Trudy Huddleston, Prescott, Ariz.

Many special thanks to Patsy Berry at Granny’s Down Home Care Assisted Living and her caring staff for making Frank and Denise a part of their family, and to all of Frank and Denise’s friends for their friendship, love and support. A special heartfelt “thank you” to the Mat-Su Hospice team and Sacred Heart Catholic Church for being there in our time of need. Arrangements cared for by the Valley Funeral Home and Crematory. A guestbook may be visited online at alaskanfuneral.com.