Dr. Francis (Frank) A. Gangemi died peacefully March 18 at The Heritage in Findlay with his wife and daughter Maria by his side. Frank was born February 20, 1929 in Syracuse, NY, the sixth of nine children born to Antonino and Santa (Calabro) Gangemi. Frank is survived by wife Charleen (Krofft) and daughters Sandra (born to ex-wife Lee Howe), Emily (Scott Feiner) and Maria (Sean Luo); grandsons Hugh, Conrad and Lucian Campbell, Henry Luo and step-grandson Ry Feiner; granddaughters Destiny Hemry and Brittany (Ryan) Gardner. Frank was preceded in death by beloved son Joseph and all of his siblings Chris, Larry, Joe, Tony, Virginia, Mickey, Angie and Josie.
Frank, a WWII veteran, served in the U.S. Marine Corps, Fleet Marine Force, spending most of his enlistment aboard U.S. Navy ships. After honorable discharge he attended Lemoyne College in Syracuse and graduated from the University of Notre Dame and The Catholic University of America, with major fields of study in philosophy and physics. He received his Ph.D. in physics and began a career of university teaching and research. He held the Chair of the Department of Physics at Ohio Northern University from 1970 until his retirement in 1995. Frank often said he was fortunate to be able to earn a living doing something he really enjoyed.
Although much of his life was spent studying and teaching physics, he was also intensely interested in reconciling the conclusions of science with the teachings of the major religions. During his retirement years in Findlay, he often quipped that he had become a “recovering intellectual,” and insisted that he would make the real world his primary concern. His major regret was that he did not wise up sooner.
This obituary was essentially written by Frank himself. To all of you who read it, he would like to say that if he has in any way ever offended you, he sincerely apologizes. He wishes you God speed until you meet again, as surely you will.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 28 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church at 617 W. Main Cross Street, Findlay, with a family reception and luncheon to follow at the Knights of Columbus hall directly across the street from the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to a charity of your choice, or to Bridge Hospice, Cancer Patient Services, or the Gangemi-Krofft Scholarship Fund used to help deserving students enrolled at Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH.
