Frank A. With, 94, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 28, 2020, with his loving family by his side.
Born in Albany, Frank was the son of the late Benjamin and Victoria With, Lithuanian immigrants. He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy and earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Statistics and Economics from Siena College. A World War II veteran, Frank served honorably from 1943-1946 in the US Army.
Frank worked in Finance and Business management and was twice retired, first as a Finance and Production Control manager from Atlantic Cement Company – Blue Circle, Ravena, NY, and then as Special Executive Assistant to the President, WMHT Public Television station.
Frank was deeply committed to his wife Anna Mary and their 5 children and 5 grandchildren. He cherished his Catholic faith, education, and lived a life of service dedicated to local, regional, national and international communities.
Frank served as a Eucharistic Minister at St Thomas the Apostle Church, Delmar, for over 25 years and as an assistant scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 71 at St. Thomas; he also served as a Past Grand Knight and 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Mother McCauley Council, Ravena, NY.
Frank served on the Albany Catholic Diocesan School Board for 10 years, was a past President of the Vincentian Institute Home School Association, a past president of CBA Alumni Association, a member of the CBA Father’s Association and CBA Director’s Advisory Committee for 10 years; and a past Vice President of the West Point Parents’ Club.
Frank was a Past Chief, Past Assistant District Chief and Captain of the Fire Police in the Selkirk Fire Department. He also served for 48 years in the publicly elected position of Fire Commissioner (Secretary-Treasurer) of the Selkirk Fire District, Town of Bethlehem, Albany County. Frank was a Charter Member of Selkirk Fire Company #3 and the Selkirk Fire Police. Frank served for over 66 years as a member of the Selkirk Fire Department. Frank was also a recipient of the Selkirk Fire District Fireman of the Year award.
Frank was a Life Member in the NYS Association of Fire Chiefs, past member of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY); past Director, Assistant Treasurer & Financial Secretary, and Charter member of the Fire Police Association of Albany County, established in 1957; and past member of the Town of Bethlehem Joint Fire Commissioners Association.
Frank was a distinguished member and officer of Rotary International for 45 years. He served for 38 years as the Historian for District 719 of Rotary International; a past President and member of the Rotary Club of Ravena, and later a member of the Rotary Club of Delmar. Frank was honored by being named a distinguished Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of the Rotary International in appreciation of his tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations between peoples of the world.
Frank served on the Town of Bethlehem Supervisor’s Planning and Advisory Committee; the Albany County District Attorney’s Readiness Team (DART) working for solutions to the drug problems facing Albany County in the 1970’s; and was a member of the NYS Museum Associates, Friends of Five Rivers Foundation, and the Capital District Civil War Roundtable. Frank was a member and past Vice Commander and Adjutant in the American Legion.
Those who knew him well and were among his best buddies, came from all walks of life. Each knew Frank as an authentic, honest fellow and a bit of a jokester, with his wit and charm always at the ready. Frank loved sports, especially Yankee baseball, and a summer night was not complete until he listened to a ball game on the radio. Frank had an equestrian swagger as a CBA cadet who managed his steeds in Albany parades and carefully side stepped Albany’s trolley tracks along the parade routes, and then as a 60-something youngster jumping on his daughter’s Irish hunter and bolting across Virginia fields. Frank enjoyed fishing, reading, magic, woodworking and radio controlled model airplanes.
Frank was predeceased by his beloved wife of 62 years, Anna Mary Gilleran With; his parents Benjamin and Victoria With; his brothers William, Edward and Julian With; and sisters-in-law Nora Gilleran Telfer and Sr. Mary Brendan Gilleran, CSJ. He was the dear father of Margaret With Chevalier (Roger), James (Sharon), Thomas, Catherine, and Peter With; cherished grandfather of Chase and Max Chevalier, and Brendan, Marguerite and Christopher With; and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday, March 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 9, in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Pl., Delmar. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont.
Those wishing to remember Frank in a special way may send a contribution in his memory to the Gurry Trust Fund, The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Latham, NY, or to a local volunteer fire department, American Legion Post, or Rotary Club.