April 16, 2022, 95, Goldsboro –
Frank Andrew DeLorenzo met his Savior and was reunited with his beloved wife, family and friends on Saturday, April 16, 2022.
Frank will lie in state at Seymour Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. The family will greet friends on Thursday, April 21, 2022, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Parish followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Interment will be in Willow Dale Cemetery.
Frank was born on June 20, 1926, and grew up in Dorchester, Massachusetts. After his high school graduation from the Boston Technical Institute in 1943, Frank enlisted in the Army Air Corps as the Second World War was in full swing. He served as a radar specialist, which was cutting-edge technology in that day. He left active service in 1947 and enrolled at Eastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. After a five-year work-study program, Frank graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
Frank went to work that same year as a design and development engineer for the newly-formed Sanders Associates in New Hampshire. The company was primarily a defense contractor, concentrating on developing and manufacturing electronic systems for tactical fighter aircraft. After a few years, Frank became the lead engineer on a project to design the hardware and software for the navigation system of the F-105 Thunderchief, the U.S. Air Force’s newest tactical fighter being developed for delivering nuclear weapons.
Frank’s electronics expertise brought him next to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, NC in 1957. His job was to instruct flight crews and maintenance personnel in the use and repair of the Thunderchief’s navigation systems. He went on several successful deployments of the new aircraft as a technical advisor and helped prove and refine the plane’s navigation systems in a variety of challenging environments.
In 1962, Frank married Kathryn Casey of Goldsboro. After transferring to the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, his work took them to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, where Frank continued his work supporting F-105 squadrons assigned to United States Air Force. A year later, they moved again to Itazuke Air Base on the island of Kyushu in Japan for twelve months before returning to the United States. Frank and Kathryn then moved to Nevada and California. There, Frank was key in developing equipment testing systems and software for the U.S. Navy’s S-3A Viking anti-submarine warfare aircraft. In 1978, Frank and Kathryn moved to New York, where Frank continued his work with the S-3A before retiring from engineering and returning to Goldsboro with Kathryn in 1980.
Back in North Carolina, Frank and Kathryn built and managed rental properties in Goldsboro. Frank joined the Council 5487 and began serving the parish and community of St. Mary Catholic Church as a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Over the intervening years, Frank served in all Council officer positions, including a term as Grand Knight. Frank also played the part of the Financial Secretary on the Council’s First Degree team for many years. He was active in the 4th Degree of the Order as well, serving in every Officer position in the Coastal Plains Assembly except Faithful Navigator. For decades, Frank sang tenor in the 4th Degree State Chorale, touring all over North Carolina and performing at countless Knights of Columbus occasions, as well as many parish and diocesan events throughout the state. He was a ready and able participant in almost every Council program and activity, from tootsie roll drives to Special Olympics support projects, even after turning 90.
Frank was an enthusiastic supporter of the Knights of Columbus. The tireless energy, drive, and dedication to service through the principles of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity were displayed by Frank so admirably throughout his life and this inspired the Knights of Columbus to name Frank A. DeLorenzo an honoree of this Exemplification.
He is survived by his twin brother, Bob DeLorenzo and several nieces and nephews from the DeLorenzo family. Frank is also survived by his sister-in-law, Ellen Casey Bryan; nieces and nephews, Suzanne Casey Bryan, Steven Paul Bryan and wife, Kitty, Glenn Casey Bryan, Harriett Casey Albritton and husband, Don, and James C. Guin, III and wife Sandi; and many great-nieces and nephews including Kathryn Suzanne Harrison, Bryan Steven Harrison, and Caroline Casey Bryan.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Michelina M. and Salvatore V. DeLorenzo; his wife of 35 years, Kathryn Casey DeLorenzo; brother, Dominic DeLorenzo; sister and brother-in-law, Kaye and David Thomas; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Kay C. Guin and Dr. James C. Guin, II, S. Jack Casey, Jr., Peggy and Kendrick Allen Casey, and Cecil Bryan; and nieces, Emma Kay Guin Long and Patsy Casey Newman.
Flowers are welcome or memorials may be given to the Knights of Columbus and used for charities they support in the care of St. Mary Catholic Church, 1603 Edgerton Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the compassionate care provided by the staff at Brookdale on Country Day Road.
Services are entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
