Frank Joseph Prajzner

CHICOPEE- Frank Joseph Prajzner, 91, died December 22, 2012 at Willimansett Center West. He was born in Chicopee on March 22, 1921 a son of the late Stanley and Mary (Wojnar) Prajzner. He grew up on a dairy farm in Southampton where he developed a love of fishing, hunting and gardening. There was no car he couldn�t fix and nothing he could not build. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1942-1945 as a petty officer 2nd class aboard LST 318 which served in the North Africa and Italy Theatres until the ship was beached off the coast of Italy after being hit by a German bomber in August of 1943. Frank served the rest of his Navy tenure at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He worked as a tire builder at the U.S. Rubber Co. in Chicopee Falls until its closing in 1983. In �retirement� he always was ready to lend a hand, whether it was mowing someone�s lawn, clearing snow, house painting or wall papering. At 72, he helped clear land and did everything possible when his daughter Nancy had her house built. Frank loved Polka dancing, especially to his favorite band, the Ray Henry Orchestra at the Quonset Hut, Hatfield Barn and the Polish National Club. His wife Irene (Zajac) Prajzner predeceased him in 1993. He leaves two daughters, Patricia Prajzner of Chicopee and Nancy Prajzner of Southampton. He was also predeceased by three brothers, Casmir, Edward and Henry as well as four sisters, Balbina, Helen, Valerie and Stasia. He will also leave several nieces, nephews and extended family members. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday December 27, 2012 from 9 AM until 10:30AM at Brunelle Funeral Home, 811 Chicopee St., Chicopee, MA 01013 and followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11AM in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 56 St. Anthony St., Chicopee, MA 01013. The Rite of Committal and Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Montgomery St., Chicopee. If friends desire, in lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the American Diabetes Assoc., PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 or to St. Anthony of Padua Church. Please visit www.brunellefuneralhome.com to view Frank�s life tribute video and for more details.