Frank Cwiklinski

Frank Cwiklinski, North Ridgeville, OH, age 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, January 21, 2023. A beloved husband to wife, Andrea (nee Fenohr); loving father to daughter, Michelle (spouse, K. Swanson) of Boerne, TX, and sons, Francis (deceased), and Chris of Westlake, OH; dearest grandfather to Cole and Nicholas, brother to Mary Lou Brower of Parma, OH and Joseph Cwiklinski (partner T. Kai) of Washington, D.C.

Born in Independence, OH to Frank J. and Sally (Stawasz) Cwiklinski, Frank, and his siblings attended St. Michael Catholic School through the eighth grade and Independence High School. Frank participated in football and track. Following high school, Frank joined the U.S. Army in 1959. He trained as a Gunner at Ft. Riley, KS, followed by serving a one-year tour in Korea with U.S. Army’s 2nd Brigade 12th Cavalry, Heavy Weapons Infantry where he drove and worked on Sherman tanks. After an honorable discharge from the military in 1962, Frank went to work for Ohio Bell Telephone Company as a systems installer in Ohio and across the country. In 1964, Frank met and married his beloved wife, Andrea (Fenohr) from Parma, OH. Both had met each other while they were swimming with friends at a local lake in Parma which eventually led to 59 years of marriage. They raised their family in Parma, OH until he retired from Lucent Technologies. After retirement, Frank split his time between Estero, FL, and North Ridgeville, OH. As a snowbird in FL, he enjoyed walking the sandy beaches and amassing a large seashell collection, as well as playing bocci ball with the community members. Visiting Frank in Florida meant dinner at his favorite restaurant, The Shrimp Shack, for grouper and shrimp. While in North Ridgeville, he enjoyed attending his grandsons’ sporting events and showing them how to grow juicy red tomatoes and monster zucchini. He even shared his growing secrets with fellow gardeners at the community garden.

The family is being served by Ripepi Funeral Home, 5762 Pearl Road (at Snow Road), Parma, OH. Service will be held at The Ripepi Funeral Home, Monday, January 30, 2023 at 1 P.M. followed by a procession to Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Seville, OH. Interment in the columbarium. Friends will be received Monday, January 30, 2023 from 12-1 p.m.