Francis S. Lysiak

Erving, Massachusetts
Francis Stephen Lysiak, 89, formerly of 12 Forest Street, Erving, MA and a resident of the Poet Seat Health Care Center, 359 High Street, Greenfield, passed peacefully at the nursing facility on Friday morning, April 20, 2018 following a period of declining health.

A native of Montague, MA, he was born on July 11, 1928 to Stephen W. and Annie R. (Brassor) Lysiak and was educated in Montague Public Schools. He retired from International Paper Company in 1993, having worked at the Millers Falls Paper Co., and the former Strathmore Paper Co., for over 40 years. He worked previously, for the Boston & Maine Railroad and for the former Kersavage Garage as a bus driver.

Francis served honorably in the USAF, from December 3, 1951 until July 23, 1952 attaining the rank of Airman 3^rd Class. He was a former member of the Montague Lodge of Elks #2521 and of the American Legion Post #5 in Brattleboro, VT. He enjoyed following the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox. An avid television watcher, he enjoyed classic Westerns and game shows. Francis enjoyed playing cards, animals, traveling to Florida and frequenting the coasts of Maine and Cape Cod. He was also a “Short Wave” radio enthusiast. A quiet soft spoken man by nature, he will be remembered for his sense of humor and his love of people. Francis was a devout communicant of Our Lady of Peace Church in Turners Falls, MA.

He married the former Joan C. LaMountain, on July 29, 1950 in the former St. John’s Catholic Church in Millers Falls, MA. They celebrated 44 years of marriage prior to her passing in August of 1994. Francis & Joan were foster parents to numerous children throughout their married lives.

He is lovingly remembered by his daughter; Bonnie E. Lysiak of Erving, MA, his adoring sister Betty A. (Lysiak) Kapise and her husband Don, of South Hadley, MA. Additionally, there are several nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews who remember him with great affection. He was predeceased by his parents Stephen and Annie, as well as by his sisters Mildred S. Gamache and Claire N. Pupek.

Committal services and inurnment, will take place on TUESDAY, May 1st at the Highland Cemetery, in Millers Falls, MA at 11:00AM, with Rev. Mr. Joseph Bucci, Deacon, of Our Lady of Peace Church, Turners Falls, MA to officiate. Military honors will be conducted by a detachment of the USAF Elite Patriot Honor Guard from Westover AFB in attendance, assisted by the Northfield VFW Post #9874 providing a firing detail. Flowers have been respectfully asked to be omitted by Francis’s family, preferring instead gifts in his memory to either the Poet Seat Health Care Center in c/o the “Residents Activity Fund”, 359 High Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 or to the Town of Montague Veteran’s Memorial Fund, #1 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376.

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