Frank Priggins

Frank "Perky" Priggins, 89, of Lansford, fell asleep in the lord Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011. He was the husband of Irene (Rabada) Priggins. They celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in March of this year.

Born in Coaldale, he was a son of the late Andrew and Anna (Malay) Priggins.

He was employed as a coal miner and also as a heating and air conditioning plumber for the former Bethlehem Steel Company for 18 years before retiring.

Frank was a veteran serving of the U.S. Coast Guard serving during World War II with the CG Explosives Loading Detachment and the Naval Ammunition Depot in Earle, N.J.

He was a lifetime member of the Lansford Legion and a member of the Carbon County Democratic Committee.

Frank was inducted into the PA Sports Hall of Fame for his excellence in track/field and football. He played at Temple and also with the Nesquehoning Hurricanes semi-professional football team.

He was a member and former president of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Lansford.

Frank was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose strength, hard work, deep faith, spirit, and love blessed the lives of all who knew him.

Surviving along with his wife are two daughters, Christine Priggins of Harrisburg, and Judith, and her husband Gregory Wechter of Ephrata; a grandson Addison Michael; and many nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by brothers Michael and Andrew; and sisters Helen and Anna.

Service: will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at 11 a.m. in St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 113 W. Bertsch St., Lansford, with Rev. Robert J. Teklinski officiating. Interment will be held in the parish cemetery, Hometown. Military graveside service will be held under the direction of the Panther Valley JROTC. Call Saturday 9:30 a.m. until the time of services in the church. Donations may be made in his name to the church. The Sverchek-Blazosky Funeral Home, Lansford, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Published in Times News on November 8, 2011