Frank Wales, Junior, 84, of Oviedo Florida, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away Thursday, January 9, 2020 at Advent Health Hospice Care surrounded by his family after a long bout with Alzheimer’s.
Frank was born in Framingham, Massachusetts, to Frank Smith Wales, Sr. and Lillian Kivinen Wales on June 11, 1935. Frank married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jayne Wales, on July 3, 1955 at which time they began their wonderful story – their best life.
Frank began his career in the US Navy in 1953 where he honorably and proudly served his country. He found his passion there and retired 20 years later after an illustrious first career working duty stations coast to coast, sailing the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. He often worked a second job to provide for his growing family. His love for his family showed in everything he did. He was a standup man and you knew that if you spent any time with him. He taught his children that any job was worth doing right and every person was worthy, capable of achievement.
After retirement from the US Navy, Frank started his own business, Wales Construction, picking up where his pre-Navy days left off and built homes for the next 35 years. He “built this” business and as time passed, his list of clients and customers grew. His subcontractors were always treated right and the quality of workmanship echoed in the quality of the product. His children would be raised to inherit these traits and incorporate them into their work ethics.
Frank helped anyone who reached out to him, always ready to swing a hammer or jump in and work. During the last several years of his construction business, Frank and Jayne traveled the world on planes, trains and motorhomes. In 1999 Frank and Jayne decided to start working for Habitat for Humanity (HFH) across the United States and were part of the founding fathers of the HFH CAREavanners, a group of RV’ers that traveled the country doing Habitat projects. They worked tirelessly for many years, again helping and giving wherever needed, building many homes and showing God’s love.
Frank attended Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
Frank is survived by his wife, Mary Jayne Wales, of Oviedo, Florida. He is also survived by his adult children: Frank III (Terry), Oviedo, Florida; Perrine (David) Dewey, Montverde, Florida; Richard (Dawn) Wales, Casselberry, Florida. Six grandchildren: Amber Wales, Frank (Jacqui) Wales IV, Amy Wales, Shayne (Jonathan) Cantwell, Shanna (Carmelo) Foti, Richard (Alex) Wales Jr. and two step-grandchildren: Melissa Pedone and Mark Dewey. Two great grandchildren: Lucas and Liam and three great-step grandchildren: Katherine, Daphne and Zachary. He is also survived by two sisters: Barbara Phillips, Cape Coral, Florida and Donna Wales, Winter Park, Florida as well as a brother-in-law, Edward McNamara, Oviedo, Florida, Sister-in-law Frances Wales, step grandchildren, Rebecca and Jordan, several nieces and nephews. Frank was preceded in death by his sister, Lola White and his brother John Wales.
A funeral mass will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church at 5300 Old Howell Branch Road, Winter Park, Florida on Friday, January 24 at 10:00 am followed immediately by a reception in the church hall. Internment will follow at 2:30 at Highland Memorial Gardens with full military honors. All family and friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Frank’s name to Silver Valley Fuller Center for Housing (formerly Silver Valley Habitat). Go to SVFCH.org.
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