Frank Gaynor
1950-08-08 2012-09-18
Paul Francis Gaynor, known to us as “Frank,” was raised by parents Paul and Mary Jane in Northern Virginia, along with his big brother, Duncan. Like typical siblings will do, they played together and knew each other’s irritation buttons, which they exercised with skill. In 1957, the family took a foray into Europe with home base in Frankfurt, Germany. Frank enjoyed three birthday’s in Europe, each in a different country during vacation travel. Paul was a military man and taught Frank and Duncan to have a healthy respect for arms and how to shoot. Frank also took up stamp collecting at ten and developed an interest in music. In his teens he received his first of many guitars and later joined a band. His all-time favorite musician was the incomparable Bob Dylan but there were many other musicians he enjoyed and followed. This took him to the concert of a lifetime—Woodstock, fringed jacket and all. Frank attended Old Miss, George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College. He couldn’t quite figure out what he wanted to do and tried his hand at bricklaying, photography, and then began what turned out to be a long career in retail—the very thing he was certain he didn’t want to do when it began. Frank worked at Memco, Gemco, Gold Circle, a TV shopping network connected with JCPenney’s, which sequed into a satisfying career at JCPenney’s home office. During these jobs, Frank and his family went from Virginia to Arizona, to California and lastly to Texas. Janene and Frank began dating in the middle of Frank’s college years and their relationship developed into devotion and love in no time at all. Frank was not only handsome, he had a great sense of humor and was a musician! He also had a charming old-fashioned streak and approached Janene’s dad with his intention of asking her to marry him. When Janene’s dad asked how Frank planned to support her, his answer was, “Well, I play the guitar…” Frank received the suggestion well that he might want to give that further consideration. Not very long thereafter, Frank and Janene married in a historic chapel and began a marriage of 40 years. A family was their desire from the beginning and when that blessing happened, Frank was forever on the floor playing and kidding around with their kids: Lauren, John Paul and Michael. Frank was full of fun and his enjoyment of his children was mirrored yet again when he became a grandpa. That happened after Lauren married a wonderful man, Ralph Gill, and they began their family – adding two great children: Evan and Ariana. Frank prayed daily for his children and grandchildren. His faith deepened as his cancer and complications decreased his ability to participate in many things he loved to do. Frank bore his health issues with amazing grace and showed no sign of self-pity at any point. He was an exceptional husband, devoted to his children, son-in-law and grandkids. Frank was a lover—of God, his family, his friends, of people… and to say he will be missed is wholly inadequate. This world won’t be the same without him, and Heaven is all the richer with him in the presence with our Savior. He is survived by his loving wife Janene, children Lauren (Ralph) Gill, John Gaynor and Michael Gaynor, grandchildren Evan Gill, Ariana, siblings James Duncan (Susan) Gaynor, brother-in-law Lt. Col. Steven (Elise) Preston, cousins Peggy Gaynor, Barbara Gaynor, Bob (May) Gaynor, niece and newphews Kathryn Gaynor, Michael Esquitin and Matthew Preston. He was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial service in Frank's honor will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 4:00 PM at LifePoint Church 4501 Hedgcoxe Road Plano, Texas 75024
Frank was a great friend to me during High School. We spent endless hours driving up and down Lee Highway. Frank, like many, was into cars back then, and a member of the Car Club. I think he so was a member of Rho service club (although I am having trouble remembering the service we provided) Frank loved music; we spent hours in his basement where he played his Stratocaster guitar. Later we went to Woodstock together and then toured Europe one summer. I lost track of Frank for decades. He married, raised a family and was living in Texas when he passed away several years ago. We reconnected on Facebook. Truly a great friend. I miss him, as I miss the classmates on this list (much too long a list) that I never got to reconnect with. I hope to see you all at the 50th reunion. Andy Starnes
tribute by Andy Starnes