Frank Poniatowski, Jr. was born on December 19, 1951 in Scranton, PA. He was a very happy child growing up. Frank was a good student, and in high school he enjoyed playing sports. He was also in a band, which he enjoyed the most. Even though he was an only child, he decided to join the Air Force and serve our country in the Vietnam War. He loved flying helicopters, and received 3 purple hearts, and a medal of honor. When he came home in 1972, he was a deputy sheriff and was proud to serve and protect his town. There was one thing he missed, which was playing music, so he got another band together with his military friends. They were so good that they were offered a job in Atlantic City, but one member was moving to Virginia Beach, so unfortunately, they didn’t accept the job. When Frank was 49, he took his first heart attack. The doctors said they couldn’t do much because he had three blockages and put him on medication to help control his heart. I met Frank in 2002 and it was love at first sight. We were like teenagers in love and went everywhere together. Frank got one more band together with our good friends and really enjoyed his life. He taught me how to drive, so I could be independent and go places in case he couldn’t go with me. After a while, Frank’s health was taking its toll on him. He was in and out of the hospital for many reasons. On September 8th, 2022 Frank kept passing out and I told him I was calling an ambulance to take him to the hospital. When we got there, they said it was his heart. They put a stint in. They also put him on medication. On October 1, 2022 Frank said he didn’t feel well. God only knew that would be the last time I saw him alive. Frank was a great man, loving, caring, and generous. I thank God for Gift of Life because without them none of this would be possible for my husband’s memory to live on.
