Mr Frank Leonard Hovanec

Frank L Hovanec was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 1, 1919 to humble beginnings as the youngest of seven siblings, all of whom are predeceased. After seventy years of marriage with wife, Vivienne (deceased in 2015), whom he loved dearly, he died on August 2, 2017 at the age of 98.

Frank was educated in the public-school system of Cleveland, Ohio, graduating from John Marshall High School in 1937. He went on to further training for three years at General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan and after serving in World War II and with the help of the GI Bill graduated in 1949 from what is now Case Western Reserve with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering.

Most of his working career was with the Research and Development Division of the Babcock & Wilcox Company in Alliance, Ohio retiring after 32 years of service while also raising a family.  One of his projects was working on the reactor of the Nautilus, the first nuclear submarine in the US fleet. He enjoyed singing and was President of the B&W chorus when they performed on one of the local Cleveland TV stations in the early 1960s. He and Vivienne then moved to the mountains of North Carolina where he helped organize an effort to maintain the tranquility of this remote community. They lived there for 14 years before moving to Burlington at the Twin Lakes Community in 1996. Frank enjoyed woodworking until he was no longer able and many of his efforts are on view within the landscape of the community.

Frank served in the US Army during World War II with an Antiaircraft Maintenance Division in New Guinea. After almost a year of service in this activity he contracted “jungle rot” and was hospitalized for several months before being honorably discharged in 1945.

Frank is survived by a son, Russell and family living in Framingham, MA, a son, Stephen, of Pamplico, SC, four grandsons, Stephen, Brett, Drew and Shane, great grandson Nikolas, son of Stephen and great granddaughter Leni Rose, daughter of Stephen. The extended surviving family includes nephews and a niece, in Minnesota, Ohio and Canada.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at the May Foley Chapel at Twin Lakes Community. Dr. Mark Menees will be officiating. A reception will follow in the Pepper Tree at Twin Lakes immediately following the service.

Rich and Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service in Burlington is assisting the family.

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