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We are grateful to Frank’s family for providing this background information (March 2021):

Francis E. Zagrobelny, known to his family and friends as Frank, died on September 25, 2020. The East Aurora resident, a member of Immaculate Conception parish, was 81.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years Margaret (nee Ruddy) Zagrobelny; children James (Phyllis) Zagrobelny, Mark (Jill) Zagrobelny, Theresa (Tom) Bone, Kathleen (Herb) Van Baren, Stephen Zagrobelny and Michael (Michelle) Zagrobelny; grandchildren Jazen, Christine, Patrick (Megan), Jeremiah, Ellen (Jonathan), Megan, Sam, Zoe, Caroline (Zach), Tim, Margaret, Jack, Zeb, Mary, Russell, Phoebe, Thomas, Bridget, Erin, and Danyelle; great-granddaughter Cora; and brother August Zagrobelny. He was predeceased by siblings, Bronic, Thadeus, Stella, Helen, Joseph, and Josephine.

Born in Chase Mills, NY in 1939, the youngest son of Polish and Ukrainian immigrants August Zagrobelny and Mary Fell, Frank was the youngest of 13 children. He graduated in 1957 from Madrid-Waddington Central School, and was the first in his family to graduate from college, receiving a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Niagara University in 1963. While attending Niagara during the day, Frank worked second shift on the construction of the Niagara Power Project in Niagara Falls. Following graduation Mr. Zagrobelny was a certified public accountant who enjoyed a successful career with Ernst & Young (formerly Arthur Young & Company) from 1963 to 1979, rejoining the firm in 1985 and remaining until his retirement in 1999. From 1979 — 1985, Frank was the Chief Financial Officer of Higgins Erectors and Haulers, a Buffalo engineering and construction company. Frank was a life member of Financial Executives (FEI) and served as President of the Buffalo chapter of FEI in 2004.

Through work and his own design, Frank was a world traveler. He believed in the beauty of the world and instilled the love and respect for nature and its beauty in everyone he touched. With family and friends, Frank visited 40 of the contiguous US states and several countries in Europe. In 2009 he travelled to Poland to trace the birthplace of his parents. Throughout his life, Frank built things. As a child and teenager, he moved, deconstructed, and reconstructed houses with his father and brothers and modified countless cars with his good friends. As a homeowner, Frank never stopped building and renovating (reluctantly hiring out his first job at the age of 75). There was not a project he was afraid to tackle. He enjoyed his vegetable garden and woodshop, where he designed and constructed hardwood, often cherry or walnut tables, bookshelves, jewelry boxes, toy boxes and other treasures for his children and grandchildren. The satisfaction was sharing success with a glass of wine, a good story, and pictures of the work with friends and family.

Frank was a dedicated Catholic his entire life. In 1955 he was a founding member and charter member of the St. Joseph's Council of the Knights of Columbus in Waddington, NY. Later in life he was part of a group of men who formed the Christ the King of East Aurora Council of the Knights of Columbus in 2000. As a Catholic, Frank shared a deep affinity with and admiration for Saint John Paul II. A trip to Rome and Assisi in 2000 was highlighted by seeing Saint John Paul II in person. Frank served on the Christ the King Seminary Board of Trustees for six years and was the chairman of the Finance Committee. Frank and Margaret received the Curé of Ars award in 2015 from the Diocese of Buffalo. Throughout his life in East Aurora, Frank was dedicated to Immaculate Conception Church and served for many years as a trustee. Frank put his love of hard work and varied skill set to work in any way that he could. One day you might find him advising the parish on financial issues, and the next day you would find him reviewing furnace bids after tightening bolts and screws in pews. Frank was a man who rejoiced in the joy of a job well done and the gratification of seeing his work completed. Frank was dedicated to Christ the King Seminary and volunteered his time and gardening and tree cutting skills each spring to help make the campus beautiful and inviting. The decision by the Diocese of Buffalo to close Christ the King Seminary in the last year or Frank’s life was a disappointment he bore with all of life’s trials. He was optimistic for the future and continued to pray for vocations regardless of where they would be trained. Frank was not a Catholic who wore his faith on his sleeve, but rather, one who bore it in his heart and showed it in his actions.

Death notice, September 2020:

ZAGROBELNY, Francis E. "Frank", CPA, September 25, 2020 of East Aurora, NY. Beloved husband of Margaret (nee Ruddy). Cherished father of James (Phyllis), Mark (Jill), Theresa (Tom) Bone, Kathleen (Herb) Van Baren, Stephen, and Michael (Michelle) Zagrobelny. Loving grandfather of Jazen, Christine, Patrick (Megan), Jeremiah, Ellen (Jonathan), Megan, Sam, Zoe, Caroline (Zach), Tim, Margaret, Jack, Zeb, Mary, Russell, Phoebe, Thomas, Bridget, Erin and Danyelle and great-grandfather of Cora. Dear brother of August and was predeceased by siblings, Bronic, Thadeus, Stella, Helen, Joseph and Josephine. The family will be present on MONDAY from 3-7 PM at the WOOD FUNERAL HOME 784 Main St. East Aurora. Reopening restrictions limit the number of individuals allowed in the Funeral Home at the same time. We welcome you to visit with the family and ask for your patience if you experience delays in doing so. Face masks are required. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday at 9:30 am at Immaculate Conception Church. Please assemble at the church. Flowers gratefully declined, if desired, contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.woodfh.com