1925
Frank
2014
Frank Munson
June 28, 1925 — June 4, 2014
Preceding him in death are his father Harry E. Munson, Sr., mother, Caroline S. Munson, and his brother Harry E. Munson Jr.
The center of that “great time,” he often said it was because of his loved and loving family. He loved his wife for sixty plus years, and gave complete, unconditional love to all three of his children. Frank would tell them they added joy to his life, and he respected his daughter and his two sons as interesting and moral individuals. Each of his 9 grandchildren was a delight with different personalities and charm. He had the pleasure of helping each of his five grandsons catch their first fish. Seeing them play golf, football, and music was a treasure. The four granddaughters were made to feel special and feminine but with a little “tom boy” in them. He emphasized moral standards, dignity, and being respectful. His great granddaughter was, even as a toddler, assured of his love.
God came first in Frank’s life, and he stressed that to all. He was a private person who never just “went along” with anything. If it was not right for him, he walked away. Frank made decisions and lived by them. “I did it my way” could have been written by him because he epitomized the lyrics expressed in Frank Sinatra’s class rendition of “I Did It My Way.” His dad always insisted that Frank and his brother, Harry, be athletes. Harry pitched, and Frank caught. He became a state wrestling champ, and both excelled in football to become selected on the starting team of the Pittsburgh Press area “Dream Team of the 40’s.” Frank also won honors at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Music was his lifetime love-no question. Frank was a featured trumpet soloist for four years at Pennsylvania State High School Concert.3s. He came to Beall High school in 1953 and revitalized the band to an award-winning status. He added jazz through the Beall-Tones and introduced Broadway style musicals from the 60’s. Performing was vital to him. He was a soloist with area bands, and started his own groups, The Modernaires Dance Band, the Mason-Seven Dixie-Land Band, and the Happy Bavarians. He played with the Frostburg Arion Band and also with the Oakland Oompah Bands during Autumn Glory for years. The Ali Ghan Shine Band became special to him, and he served as Band Master for over 60 years. “Frank was a music legend because of his influence on so many bands,” stated an Ali Ghan Shrine spokesperson.
Patriotism was vital to him. He had enlisted in the U.S. Navy during his senior year. He was the sonar technician on one of the minesweepers which functioned before the invasion of islands in the South Pacific.
Frank, a charter member of Maplehurst, liked to play golf, water-ski, boat, fish, snow ski. He was a Nascar fan. He valued automobiles, especially the classic ones like Eldorados.
Surviving are his wife Paula W. Munson; daughter Pamela Reyer Mando, Lake Station, IN; two sons, Mark Frank Munson, Tampa, FL; and Randall Harry Munson, Brooksville, FL. Grandchildren are Michael Reyer and wife Katie, Wesley Chapel, FL; Jeffrey Reyer, Frank Reyer and Jennifer Reyer, all of Lake Station, IN; Alexander Frank Munson and Nathaniel Harry Munson, Tampa, FL; and Rachael Munson, Taelar Munson, and Caitlyn Munson, Brooksville, FL; Great Granddaughter is Malina Reyer, daughter of Frank Reyer.
Other family members are sister-in-law Gladys (widow of Harry Munson, Jr.) Pittsburgh, PA, Adele W. Logsdon and husband Robert Clark Logsdon, Somerset, PA; and their children Scott Logsdon, Nashville, TN; Chad Logsdon, Somerset, PA; and Heather Logsdon Ladika and husband William Ladika, Geistown, PA, and their daughters Alea and Elleigh.
Frank was a 50 plus member of the Frostburg United Methodist Church, a life time member of Farrady Post 24 and American Legion, BPOE 470 and also a member of the VFW Old Rail Post 6025, Mt. Savage, and the Moose 348.
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