Frank Anthony deChurch, 97, of Dagsboro, Del., died on October 20, 2022, after a short stay in the hospital.
He was born in Sykesville, Pa., to Mary Ferrante DeChurch and Piacentino "Cassedy" DeChurch (DiCioccio), who were from the Abruzzo region of Italy.
He retired from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad after 30 years, and then worked as a motor power and equipment specialist for the Federal Railway Administration for another 20 years. A hard worker and meticulous throughout his career, he put in many hours walking on train tracks and climbing up diesel engines, inspecting for safety problems.
At a young age Frank learned to shoot and hunt in the deep forests of north central Pennsylvania, where he grew up. After WWII, he, his brother, and brother-in-law built a hunting camp in what is now the Moshannon State Forest, where family and friends gathered for picnics and hunting parties. He also participated in pistol shooting competitions and became and expert aim; when living near Baltimore, he often competed against FBI agents and police officers.
Music was important to the DeChurch family, and each child played a different instrument. Frank was excellent on the trombone, and in the 1950s played in combos, local big bands, and drum and bugle corps. He passed his love of the trombone to son Michael, who also became an excellent musician.
After he retired, he spent many hours working on his and Sandys house in Delaware, honing his Mr. Fix-It skills; he built a porch and a patio and created an art studio for Sandy. You often find him smoking his pipe and listening to his favorite music while tinkering in the garage.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sandra deChurch; his children, Deborah DeChurch (Bill Corcoran) and Jennifer Grabowski (Eric); his grandchildren, Phoebe (Linda Paperella) and Peter Hanshew, and Owen, Eli, Alex, and Logan Grabowski; his great-grandchildren, Sula and Sabato Fox; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Florina (DeChurch) Null and Rose (DeChurch) Shenkle, and a brother, Vincent DeChurch. Frank and his wife Sandy also lost their beloved son, Michael Lawrence, who served in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret and paratropper.
It was Franks request that no service be held.
