Frank C. Pavlak, 66, of Port Washington, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 7. He was an extraordinarily generous man, loved music, history, and all things Port Washington.
Frank was born on Feb. 22, 1947 to Lottie Campbell and Francis William Pavlak. He was a 1965 graduate of Paul D. Schreiber High School and attended Taft College. He served as an Intelligence Officer in the United States Army from 1968-1970 and worked as an executive for the book publisher Walter J. Black, Inc. through the mid-90s.
A dedicated member of Protection Engine Company No.1 for 42 years, he served as a trustee from 1976 to the present, chairman and member of numerous committees, including chairman of Protection’s 100th Anniversary committee, and as Department Secretary for six years in the 1970s.
For many years, he managed the Fire Department softball team, which won six consecutive New York State Championships under his leadership. He was a member of the vestry at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and a trustee of the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society. Frank organized reunions for the Schreiber class of 1965 every five years.
Frank had been married to fellow Schreiber classmate Beverly Broglio Pavlak since December of 1971, and was a dedicated, loving husband, father, and grandfather (or Papa, as he preferred to be called). Bev and Frank had three children, F. William Pavlak (Andrea) of Toano, VA, Christina M. Pavlak (Mark Saltzman) of New Haven, CT, and Barbara Ann Keller (Michael) of Port Washington. He is also survived by four adoring grandchildren: Duncan William, Lyla Ann, Madelyn Christina, and Noa Marie.
In addition to his children and grandchildren, Frank is also survived by his sisters Kathleen Meyer (Ed) of Hillsboro, OR, and Helen Cordero (Bob) of Sandy, UT, mother-in-law Barbara Somerville Black of Dix Hills and father-in-law Eligio L. Broglio (Iseult) of West Palm Beach, FL, sister-in-law Dorothy Carroll (Gary), brothers-in-law Walter Black, T. Michael Black (Jayne), and Frank A. Broglio (Jeni), numerous nieces and nephews, many friends and fellow firefighters.
He was preceded in death by his wife Beverly, his parents, his adoptive parents Dorothy and Clifford Kernochan, Bill and Ruth Zwerlein, and his step father-in-law Theodore M. Black.
Frank will be profoundly missed by all who were inspired by his kindness and selflessness.
