Frank Edward Guzel Sr.

Frank Edward Guzel Sr., age 93, of Chartiers Township, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 15, 2022.

Born on November 25, 1928, he was the son of the late Mary and Frank Guzel.

Frank was always proud that both his maternal and paternal grandparents immigrated to the USA through Ellis Island from Yugoslavia. Frank grew up in Cuddy, PA before family moved to Washington, PA where he graduated from Trinity High School. Following graduation, on September 22, 1951, he married Verna Sharp, who passed April 2021. He enlisted and was proud to serve in the Army Division 28 Infantry 108 Field Artillery Battalion. When he served in Germany, he was able to take a leave to visit relatives in Yugoslavia.  Upon discharge from the Army, Frank and his wife built a home on the Sharp Farm in Canonsburg where they raised their five children, Rhonda (Robert) McDonald of Canonsburg, Rebecca Rankin of Burgettstown, Ruth (Wilbert) Dinsmore of Washington, Regina (Kevin) Julius of Erie, PA and Frank (the late Joyce) Guzel Jr of Canonsburg. He is survived by 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Frank was never afraid of hardwork, the stories he told of his youth, where he pedaled vegetables for his paternal grandmother, odd jobs at a small store that his family lived above, and helped his uncle on a farm.  He always walked to all of the jobs that he had during his high school years.  His hardwork was instilled in his children, through working on their farm taking care of a menagerie of animals, tending to the land, gardening and cutting wood to sell. Holding several jobs, he was a heavy equipment operator during the day and worked at the PA Transformer in the evening.  When his younger daughter was found to be allergic to cow’s milk, Verna and Frank bought dairy goats, which they were able to meet wonderful people through the Dairy Goat Association.  They traveled to many shows throughout many states, including The Washington County Fair, where their two older at daughters were the first to show their 4H animals and he became and remained the Superintendent of the Dairy Goat Department for many years.  He also started the 4 H Dairy Goat Club.  He was a proud member of the American Legion 902.  He loved Polka Dancing, he loved the music and would meet many friends at the Strabane SNPJ as well as other dances.  After retiring, he searched for many men in which he served in the Army with. He would invite them to lunch at various restaurants until it became hard for them to travel.  During that time Frank and Verna traveled to many states to visit with relatives and attend many Army functions.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters Alice (Albert) Borza, Dorothy Coughenour, sister-in-law of Beulah O’Byrne, brother-in-laws Alvin Sharp and Andrew Guidos.  and great grandchild Hannah Julius.
Survived by sister Mary Guidos of Bridgeville.

All service will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Concordia Hospice, 10 Leet St., Washington, PA 15301.