Frank R. Dvorak

Frank R. Dvorak, 96, of Daytona Beach died on Monday, October 22, 2018 at his home, surrounded by family. Frank was born in Utica, NY on August 25,1922, the son of Antoni Dworak (Dvorak) and Apolonia Stawarz Dworak (Dvorak). He attended local schools in Utica.

Though underage, when still 16, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and served in the Catskills, clearing forests of dead chestnut trees, building roads as a member of the dynamite crew, fighting forest fires and planting thousands of trees. Frank was always proud of the discipline and training he received in the CCC’s, stating it conditioned him for military service in WWII.

He joined the US Navy in June 1941, received his basic training at the Newport (RI) Naval Jacksonville NAS and in December of 1941 was sent to Norfolk NAS to become a member of the flying crew of a new squadron (of PBY flying boats), subsequently engaging in anti-submarine warfare in the South Atlantic. After some months, when submarine warfare became heated in the Caribbean, Frank was transferred to Trinidad to help form an Aircraft Maintenance Squadron to support ant-submarine patrols there. He served his last year of the War at Boca Chica NAS, where he received his Honorable Discharge and returned to Utica October 4, 1945 to continue his education.

He graduated from a Junior College and continued by matriculating nights at Utica College of Syracuse University. During that time, he met Alice McCoy, whom he married in June 1948. They were happily married for 57 Years until Alice died in September 2005.

Frank worked for over 25 years for the US Air force as a civilian, primarily as a Management Analyst and as a Supervisor in Computer Systems, first at Griffiss AFB, NY, then as part of the AF Communication Service HQ at Richards-Gebaur AFB, Mo.

He retired in January of 1978 moving to Daytona Beach where he enjoyed fishing and playing golf for many years. He had 4 holes-in-one (just lucky he said) and played most of the courses in the area. In the last few years when he was no longer physically able to golf, he learned to play Bridge and spent many enjoyable hours with the other Bridge players at the LaCosta Clubhouse and Port Orange Recreation Center.

Frank was always active physically and mentally. He did calisthenics daily, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and hiking. He also enjoyed reading, playing Rummikub, and writing poetry. For many years, he developed and ran the fall family football pool with wit and humor. He was known as a go-getter who was eager to explore new places and to “try something new.”

Frank leaves behind 3 children, Donna Dvorak (Robert) Toews of Alexandria, VA, Paul Dvorak of Daytona Beach and Frank Dvorak, Jr (Donna Stanton) of Ormond Beach; granddaughters, Alicia and Katie; great-grandchildren, Landon, Isabella and Calee; brother Louis Dvorak of New Carlisle, Ohio and many cherished nieces, nephews and their children. He was beloved by his large extended family and will be sorely missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held 12:00PM on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, 548 N. Nova Rd, Ormond Beach. Family will receive friends from 11:00AM until service time at Volusia Memorial Funeral home-Ormond Beach. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to Wounded Warriors or Our Lady of Hope Church in Port Orange.