Franklin O. "Frank" Blachly, 1926-2021

Franklin O. “Frank” Blachly of River Ranch passed away Thursday, December 2, 2021 at Advent Health Lake Wales.

He was born April 18, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Frank and Marian Blachly; he has been a winter resident of the area for 30 years and came here full time this year from Dix Hills, New York. Frank was a retired contractor and was a member of the River Ranch Chapel. He served in the Korean war with the United States Army. He enjoyed the outdoors and helping friends and neighbors with whatever needed doing.

Frank was preceded in death by his sister, Ruth Titus; and brother, Malcolm Blachly. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Alice Blachly; daughters, Debra Marchica (John) of Sayville, New York, and Lorine Ruotolo (John) of Mount Juliet, Tennessee; sons, Greg Blachly (Diane) of Dix Hills, New York, and Steve Blachly (Cathy) of Dix Hills, New York; ten grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his honor can be made to the River Ranch Chapel or to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org).