Obituary of Francis William Guirastante, Sr.

Francis William Guirastante, Sr., passed away peacefully in his sleep Thursday Sept. 3, 2015 while at the Berkshire Medical Center in Mass. He was 90 years young. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of over 50 years, Meliva Doris (Gavlik) Guirastante of Johnson City; parents, Giuseppe "Tony" Guirastante, originally from Vacri, Italy, and Mabel (McGown) of Binghamton; sister, Marion (Guirastante) Fitch/Ondecko. Frank is survived by his son, Francis William Guirastante, Jr.; and daughter-in-law, Bonnie (Hawley) Guirastante; grandsons, Scott Michael and Jeffrey Allan Guirastante; 4 great grandchildren; and a great-great granddaughter; sisters-in-law, Mary (Gavlik) Brehl, Virginia (Gavlik) McCormack; and brother-in-law, (deceased) Adolf Gavlik. Frank loved family gatherings with Mel's nieces and nephews and, true to his lifelong passion as a self-taught photographer, he documented these many happy events for future conversation and laughter, pictures he developed of their international travels pridefully adorned his home and today are considered priceless articles of profound beauty. Frank served in the US Army briefly towards the end of WWII; worked as a manufacturing engineer for ANSCO and later for IBM where he traveled to several overseas plants to assist in refining and improving processing issues; then took early retirement from them when it was offered. Frank and Mel lived their retirement years in Florida and played golf year round or cruised the Caribbean just so fellow travelers could sing Happy Birthday to him at his annual. He has completed his earthly journey now; a job well done and welcome home. Funeral Services will be held at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main St., Binghamton on Saturday at 11am. Reverend Corey S. VanKuren will officiate. Entombment will be in Vestal Hill Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the McCormack Funeral Home on Friday from 4-6pm. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Danielle House, 160 Riverside Dr., Binghamton, NY 13905.