Francis A. Antalek, 79, passed away Monday, September 18, 2023 at the McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich from complications caused by cancer.
Francis was known by friends and acquaintances as "Frank", but from the day he was born on May 14,1944, his family affectionately called him "Whitey".
He was born and raised in Natick, Massachusetts; the youngest of two children born to the late Laurestine (Richardson) and John W. Antalek, Sr. He was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law John W. Antalek, Jr. and Patricia A. (Binns) Antalek, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Whitey will be lovingly missed and remembered by his niece Kathy Jean Antalek and her husband Stephen Schrag of West Brookfield MA; a great niece and God-child Patricia Antalek-Schrag also of West Brookfield; along with many cousins; his uncle Vito Lentini; and his good friend and neighbor Moira Brennen.
Frank/Whitey graduated in 1962 from Natick High School and served in the U. S. Navy 1965-1969 during the Vietnam Conflict. After the Navy he worked many years at Fenwal Electronics; retired from Candela Laser Corporation in 2001 and then moved to Cape Cod, fulfilling a life long dream. In his retirement he traveled to Iceland and to Portugal. He enjoyed gardening and cooking, and when he wasn’t home he was likely walking or sitting along the shore and watching boats passing through the canal, often with his dogs Milo or Milly in tow. Always proud to call the Cape his new home. He was a member of the American Legion Post 188 Sandwich, MA and the VFW Post 5988 Bourne, MA.
With sincere gratitude, we would like to thank the people that provided outstanding care, assistance, and compassion to Whitey/Frank from Elder Services of Cape Cod, (especially Chistina Dauley); medical liaison Will from the Cape Cod Hospital; the Bourne Rescue; the Falmouth Hospital; the McCarthy Care Center; his neighbors Moira, Nancy, Mike; and everyone else who added to his comfort during this journey.
As per Whitey’s/Frank’s request, there will be no services. The private interment will take place at the National Military Cemetery in Bourne at a later date. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Buddy Dog Humane Society, 151 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA 01776 www.buddydoghs.org/donate