Frank

18 submissions

Malene Præst Slemming

2 months ago

Dear Paw paw

Hey Paw paw, congratulations on the 100th anniversary! Everytime we have visited you in the states you´ve welcomed us with open arms and always been so nice to both of us. When we think of you, we are reminded by the good times we had, we especially remember how you taught us to draw, and we had a Gatorade from your garage. So, we wanted to thank you for the good memories Warm greetings Mads and Malene

Submitted to Frank

Knud Præst Jørgensen

2 months ago

Dear Frank

Dear Frank Congratulations on your 100th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I have been so privileged to be welcomed into your family. I felt welcome from the first moment I stepped into your and Barbara’s home. You later became my in-laws, and I did not feel anything but approval, when I married your daughter. I remember clearly when you and Barbara visited me on my ship; Axel Maersk in New Jersey in 2016. Denise and I received our blessing on our marriage on board, which you both attended. I also clearly remember when you, Barbara, Denise and Nicole arrived in Copenhagen airport in august 2016. Denise and Nicole were moving over to me, and you ensured, by your presence, that they did that in a safe way. You stayed with us for some time, in Denise’s and my common home. You have also welcomed my two children, Mads and Malene into your family unconditionally. I have so many pleasant memories of my visits to your home in USA. Both when visiting you on Bayside Lane and later at Rutland. I will only mention a few of them here, but there are several. One was a road trip in 2019 to Kentucky, where we visited the Corvette Museum and later stopped by Thomas Drugs. A, one of a kind, pharmacy in Cross Plains, TN. (They served the best milkshake I ever had). It was great fun, and the trip is still clearly in my mind. I also clearly remember when we celebrated your and Barbara’s 60th anniversary in 2015. We celebrated it at your home, and at the Brazilian restaurant downtown. I met a lot of your family and friends at that event. I also always enjoyed our long conversations. I listened, with great interest, when you told me about your life. From your experiences in WWII, the many years you lived in Europe, your manager job at Sheraton, and of course, your long-life commitment to education. I hope you will enjoy your birthday together with your closest family and friends. Unfortunately, I cannot be there to celebrate it with you, but you will surely be with me all day on September 1st. Again, congratulations on your 100th birthday. It is such a huge achievement. Yours faithfully Knud

Submitted to Frank

Nicole Singer

2 months ago

Memories

Dear Paw Paw, my best memories with you were in the pool, or actually probably in the hot tub at the Sheraton after we had done all our laps. You have always made an effort to keep your body and mind going, and I find that very inspiring. You have a high degree of self love and self respect that many should aspire to have. The better we take care of ourselves, the more capacity we have to love and care for others, as you have done throughout your life. I would like to thank you for your good choices and your generosity. I hope you have a great 100th birthday.

Think of a moment you shared with Frank that still lingers in your mind - something that makes you smile, laugh, or simply reminds you of him.

One of the funny things about Paw Paw is that if you take him to a Mexican restaurant, he always tries to speak Italian to the waiter. Let’s just say Paw Paw’s Italian doesn’t always translate.

Granddaughter Nicole making pizza with PawPaw

Submitted to Frank

Cristina Di Bernardo

2 months ago

Dear Mr. Mickanowicz

Mr. Frank I didn’t get to know you till the 2017 when Denise and I reconnected at a HS reunion. I always knew you where the principal of the elementary school. I knew Mrs. Mickanowicz from church and the best memory would be she was the kindest person. Your biggest legacy is in the children you raised. What I see in them is what you have passed on and that legacy will go one as there children grow. PS as we often pass the cemetery of where your parents are buried Vince (who shared your birthday date) and I wave to the creators of a great man. Con tanto amore per i tuoi 100 anni. Cristina and Vincent 🥂 “A 100 Anni”

Submitted to Frank

Amy Alley

3 months ago

Mr. Frank

Mr. Frank and I both loved Barbara and from that shared love, a deep and lasting friendship grew. He and I are like-minded in many ways- we’re able to talk openly, share our feelings, and exchange opinions without judgment. I feel truly special when he refers to me as his best friend. As a lifelong educator, Frank has a special place in his heart for children. My grandchildren, especially Logan and Harper, have a heartfelt bond with him. We’ve happily adopted “Mr. Frank” into our family and are blessed to have him as part of our lives. Mr. Frank is an extraordinary man and a living example of how age is just a number. He’s touched the lives of many, including mine. Happy 100th to someone who’s inspired generations. Amy Alley

Veteran's Ball Quilt of Valor

Logan Baer

John Rose hoping to be TN's next governor

Hermitage Elementary Veteran's Day Speciial Guest

Harper Baer

+4 more

Courtney

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Paul D'Andrea

3 months ago

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denise michanowicz

3 months ago

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denise michanowicz

3 months ago

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denise michanowicz

4 months ago

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denise michanowicz

4 months ago

Think of a moment you shared with Frank that still lingers in your mind - something that makes you smile, laugh, or simply reminds you of him.

Collection of Frank's early days with Barbara from Denise's photo collection.

Submitted to Frank

Denise Michanowicz

4 months ago

Think of a moment you shared with Frank that still lingers in your mind - something that makes you smile, laugh, or simply reminds you of him.

April 5, 2016 Barbara, Nicole and Frank celebrating Nicole's Confirmation. Location is 4212 Bayside Lane, Hermitage, TN

Submitted to Frank

Denise Michanowicz

4 months ago

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Denise Michanowicz

4 months ago

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Matthew Gleysteen

5 months ago

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DAWN MICHANOWICZ

5 months ago

Dear Dad,

Do you remember when I caught fire to the palm tree just outside the kitchen? Do you remember finding the bat in your bedroom shutters the day of our Halloween party? Do you remember the persimmon tree out front and Denise used to eat them raw? Signore Lodi's house was a paradise and it brought me the best memories of Italy. When people ask me where is home, I always think of Via Bugano #8. Thank you for finding us a beautiful, sunny, and magical place to grow up.

What's a place that will always remind you of Frank? Why is it special for you?

Vicenza: 1966-1975. After Denise was born, we moved from Nuermburg, Germany to Italy with Grams (Dad's mother). For several months we lived on base in a very small apartment. I was 9 years old. My cat, ran away and got caught in a tree and the soldiers from Camp Ederle had to come rescue it several times. Finally in the fall, Dad found Signore Lodi's villa on #8 Via Bugano in Debba just before the historical floods of November 1966. The villa was on top of the hill. The rats from the river had reached our attic and one fell into our water tank. There was a tower with one room the caretaker used for storage. It was very old. During Halloween, we decorated it like a haunted house. In the early 1970's, the Italians did not celebrate Halloween like we did in America. In the attic of the main house, Mark and I went exploring through Mr. Lodi's old furniture and we found a Nazi flag when the German's had occupied it during WWII. The farmer Giulio lived down the street and provided fresh chickens for Mom to cook (which Rita, our housekeeper, actually cooked)! The Noventa family lived down the street, Ricardo, Dario and LIlliana. Today (2025) Dario still lives there with his Mother. Dad loved that property. It was a paradise: persimmon, apricot, cherry, plum and peach trees on the land. There were truffles near Miranda's house which she used to bring in a pig up to dig them up. It had hazelnut, palm trees (which I caught fire one time), and huge oak trees where Mark and I built a tree house. In 1973 Dad had me negotiate to buy it from Mr. Lodi. Mom wanted to move back to the states so the deal never went through. A six foot stone wall surrounded the property. We had to open the heavy green metal gate every time we went in and out of the property. I've taken my children to see #8 Via Bugano in 2007 and I went to visit again in 2025. That gate is still intact. Back in 1974, Signore Lodi ended the lease because he wanted to live there with his own family and we moved to the villa in Nanto where the rooms were all dark colors. We repainted every room white and Dad trimmed all the trees back so we could drive up the front road. We lived in Nanto only one year before Dad got transferred to Livorno, Camp Darby.

Submitted to Frank

DAWN MICHANOWICZ

5 months ago

What's a place that will always remind you of Frank? Why is it special for you?

From 1975 - 1983 Dad & Mom lived in Marina di Pisa, Italy when Dad got transferred from Vicenza to Livorno, Camp Darby Elementary School. He and Mom lived in Signora Bozzo's home, upstairs. Her villa was painted pale blue and was about 4 blocks from the Mediterranean, with cold marble floors (great during the hot summers), tall windows which let in the red sand from the Sahara dessert (scirocco's). We had one bathroom. One winter season, Dad called the "hydralico" (plumber) to fix the hot water which was no longer "hot." The plumber dug up the driveway outside and covered the hot water pipes with a rubber bicycle hose. Dad just looked at him after paying him in American cigarettes and gas coupons and said, "Are you sure that will keep the water hot?" He assured him, "Si Signore." We still had to take a 2 minute shower or we would run out of hot water. Those were the days in "Marina!"

Submitted to Frank

Matthew Gleysteen

5 months ago

Dear PawPaw

Dear PawPaw, You've always been a role model for me for how to live a life full of adventure, while staying healthy, family-oriented, and disciplined with money. You are turning 100, you're healthy both physically and mentally walking around, driving, making jokes and even bargaining with 25 year old salesmen for a new truck. Incredible. I love you very much, and it makes me proud to talk about you to my friends around the world, to my colleagues in Korea who are touched by your service liberating them from the Japanese in WW2, and to my loved ones who are comforted by knowing I am descended from a strong line of genetics that carry longevity and strength. This collection of memories and photos is my birthday gift to you, and it is made even more meaningful because it was created with the help of your children and close friends who love you and are proud of you. I hope one day I will honor your memory and show these memories to my future children and their children to come... Your grandson, Matthew

Think of a moment you shared with grandpa Frank that still lingers in your mind — something that makes you smile, laugh, or simply reminds you of them (Ex: “One moment I’ll never forget is the time…” , “We used to always…”, “I remember the day you...”)

I'll always remember PawPaw as a deal hunter who loves to negotiate with everyone. He starts by telling a story, carefully weaving into the story that he's a WW2 vet fighting in the Pacific, then slides on some anecdotes about his time in Europe teaching on military bases, and ends with some stories about teaching kids at the schools around Nashville. He'll do it with a smile and a handshake, and usually it works. One time, he had some leftover wood beams in the garage from a fencing project. He asked me to take him with the wood beams over to Lowe's to get a refund. Upon arrival, he jumps into one of their electric scooters and zips over to the timber section, rips off a couple of tags and quickly hands them to me and whispers 'go put these on our beams and then we'll be able to get a refund' I go 'PawPaw! I thought you bought the beams from her!' He goes 'well I don't remember where I bought them from, but this will work, just do it, I'm a veteran they'll listen to me' Perhaps I wasn't adventurous enough to go along with his masterplan, but I was impressed. At the age of 98 he managed to craft a way to get rid of these beams with a bit of cash in his pocket, and outsource the work and risk to his gullible grandson. Genius!

Submitted to Frank

Matthew Gleysteen

7 months ago

What were Frank's interests and hobbies? What did he love doing in his free time?

Frank, or as I call him PawPaw is always telling stories. He fought in WW2 in 1940s against the Japanese in the Pacific campaign, met and courted his wife Barbara in Tennnessee in the 1950s, and went on to teach at US military schools in France, Germany, and Italy throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s before retiring to his wife's home region of suburban Nashville in the 90s, where they lived together until her passing in spring of 2023. They were together more than 60 years. PawPaw loves to read the news, chase good deals, and tell stories about his worldly adventures to anyone who will lend an ear. His hearing maybe gone long ago with the naval gun boats...but that certainly doesn't stop him from sharing his life's adventures. He enjoys attending veterans events and going for long walks, reminiscing ok his long and happy century of life. He loves to call his children and grandchildren, and frequently emails them on one of his 5 ipads! He was teaching all the way until the age of 95, and only stopped when COVID restrictions made it impossible to continue. His love for swimming kept him fit all these years and to this day he walks around wherever he pleases, and god forbid even drives still in his truck to run local errands. PawPaw is a deal maker, he even tried to negotiate down the pricing of a new Nissan truck to a young, eager salesman. Imagine a young truck salesman in a Nashville suburb, facing down a bargain hunter who is 5 times his age, no way he's gonna win that negotiation! Thankfully we convinced him to pause on the new ride, but we know that he's one conversation away from getting a good bargain. One thing we can all agree on, is that when PawPaw wants something, he goes after it and won't stop talking about it.

Submitted to Frank