Francis M.     Krasnickas

Served On Newtown Public Building And Site Commission

Francis M. “Frank” Krasnickas, 76, husband of Patricia Tetrault Krasnickas of Newtown, died November 30 in Yale-New Haven Hospital. Mr Krasnickas was born in Manchester on December 23, 1929, a son of Anthony and Anna (Schultz) Krasnickas.

He was a graduate of Letourneau College in Texas. Mr Krasnickas served in the US Army during the Korean War. He was employed as an electrical engineer for Perkin Elmer Corp and Norden Systems until his retirement in 1991.

A resident of Newtown since 1973, Mr Krasnickas served on the Newtown Public Building and Site Commission for more than 30 years. He served as chairman from 1990 to 2001, and during this period four major school projects were completed: Sandy Hook School addition, Middle Gate School addition, Newtown High School addition and renovations, and Hawley School addition. The major addition to the Cyrenius H. Booth Library was also completed during this time.

“I remember a time back around 1996 to 1998,” said his son, Mark. “He was running the big high school addition and putting in at least 35 hours a week as a volunteer, mind you. Then the library project went into full swing before the high school was completed. Now he was even busier. I used to say, ‘Man you’re working pretty hard for a retired guy, and you’re not even getting paid.’ And dad, being the humble man he was, would say, ‘Oh no, it’s okay. It keeps me busy. I really like doing this to help our town.’”

Judge William Lavery, a neighbor of Mr Krasnickas for 32 years and who was the chairman for the board of trustees of the C.H. Booth Library during the time the library addition was built, said, “Mr Krasnickas was a tireless, full-time, free worker for the town. He did a marvelous job and had the diplomacy to handle difficult people.” As a friend, said Judge Lavery, Mr Krasnickas was, “One of the nicest men I’ve ever met in my whole life. I was honored to be his friend.”

Cyrenius H. Booth Library Director Janet Woycik also recalled Mr Krasnickas as a diligent volunteer during the building of the library addition. “He was here every day to make sure things were done correctly. He was a man of great integrity, who will be missed by many,” she said.

Not only was Mr Krasnickas highly thought of by those who worked with him on town projects, but by those who knew him on the personal level, as well. “If ever there was a man you could count on, it was Frank Krasnickas,” said Allen Adams, a co-worker and friend of 50 years. “He was a  humble man and a generous one. He dealt with whatever life dealt. He was always there if you needed him. He would lend moral support and he was a good listener, an important requirement for a friend. I’ll surely miss him.”

 Mr Krasnickas was also a lifelong ammunition collector and was the recent author of Cartridges of South Coventry, for which he began collecting information when he was in elementary school. The book is an historical, factual book of cartridge manufacturers in his hometown of Coventry, Conn., from the mid to late 1800s.

According to the preface of Mr Krasnickas’ book, his ammunition collection consisted of more than 5,000 cartridge specimens and 200 boxes from all over the country, including 200 specimens and 50 boxes from the Coventry collection alone.

In addition to his wife, Mr Krasnickas is survived by his son, Mark Krasnickas and his wife, Sheilah, of Newtown; two daughters, Alexa Skalandunas and her husband, Gary, of Newtown, and Erika Keeton and her husband, John, of Watertown, Mass.; a stepson, Christopher Tetrault of Milford; a stepdaughter, Michelle Sautter of Stowe, Vt.; three grandchildren, Matthew, Emily, and Carly; a brother, Victor Krasnickas of Coventry; and two nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Alfred, who was killed in action during World War II.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated December 4 in St Rose of Lima Church, Newtown. Interment with military honors followed in Newtown Village Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Stroke Association, 2550 US Highway 1, North Brunswick NJ 08902-4301.

The Newtown Bee        December 8, 2006