Frank R Wozniak

Wozniak, Frank R. Born to Eternal Life June 8, 2024 at the age of 93 years after a life filled with devotion, friends, family, appreciation, and song. Frank grew up adjacent to Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church in a largely Polish neighborhood on Milwaukee’s South side. He attended both Elementary School and High School at Saint Stanislaus (later Notre Dame High School). He graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Journalism in 1952. He was drafted into the Army and stationed at Camp Stoneman in Pittsburg, California where he applied his organizational skills along with early computing equipment to help manage troop movements during the Korean War. He then had a 30-year career with the international division at Allis Chalmers - where he was involved in the sales and licensing of mining and earthmoving equipment around the world. His work took him from West Allis to Ecuador, Japan, India, and Pakistan at a time when such travel was adventurous. He had colleagues and friends from Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America. After he retired from AC, he worked for several years with Bresser’s Information Service to stay busy and to enjoy continued social contact.

Frank’s true passion in life was opera and he was gifted with a beautiful tenor voice. His vocal career began as a young member of the Saint Stanislaus Church Choir joining his father Edward and mother Anna, who were both accomplished musicians. Frank spent 30 years (1959 to 1989) as a chorister in the Florentine Opera Company of Milwaukee and he also took several supporting roles in productions over the years. His knowledge of opera and classical music was encyclopedic and he sang in eight languages. After he retired, Frank took on management of the Florentine Opera’s telemarketing office for several years. Recipients of his telephone calls were easily swayed to purchase tickets by the immense passion for opera that he radiated. In 2008, at the age of 77, Frank joined the Saint Sebastian Adult Church Choir and spent the next 5 years doing what he loved with peers he cherished.

Throughout his life, Frank maintained a close connection to his Polish heritage. As a student at Marquette, he performed with the Joseph Conrad Polish Folk Dance group - named for the famed Polish novelist Jozef Konrad Korzeniowski. In 1982, Frank helped initiate Milwaukee’s Polish Fest and for several years he served as the Chairman of Musical Presentations - taking responsibility for booking all of the musical acts for the annual 3-day event.

Finally, friends and family were everything to Frank. Despite his significant humility, he had a gregarious personality, loved to be around people, and always shared what was in his heart. The true love of his life was Frances, to whom he was married for 44 years. It was obvious to anyone who met them that she meant the world to him and that he could not believe his good fortune. Frank and Fran had two sons, Tom and Jeff, and three grandchildren, Alexandra, Elena, and Max. When Fran passed away in 2008, Frank adapted to her absence, but profoundly kept his devotion to her for the remainder of his life. Their love set an example for every couple who knew them.

To the end, Frank was a true gentleman, a man of principle, and a man who projected respect and dignity in all of his interactions with the world. His beautiful voice and soul will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Frank was preceded in death by his cherished wife Frances Catherine (nee deGiulio) Wozniak, brother Jack (Elaine) Wozniak, parents Edward and Anna (nee Bartkowiak) Wozniak. He is the beloved Father of Thomas (Sol) and Jeffrey (Amy) Wozniak. He is the adoring grandfather of Alexandra, Elena, and Maxwell. Frank is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. His visitation will be held Tuesday, June 25 from 9:00 to 10:30 AM at Saint Sebastian Parish (5400 W. Washington Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53208) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM. The burial will be at St. Adalbert Cemetery (3801 S. 6th St.) at 12:30 PM.