Frank William Gavay

Frank William Gavay of Myrtle Beach, SC passed away peacefully at home on January 4, 2025.

Frank was born on January 22, 1934, in Stamford, CT to the late Frank J. and Stefanie (NEE Svec) Gavay where he was raised, graduating from Stamford High School in 1951. A Korean War veteran, Frank served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956. He felt immense pride wearing his Air Force baseball caps, especially in South Carolina where he lived since 2015, as the community’s respect and admiration for his service touched him deeply.

Upon his honorable discharge from the military, Frank attended Chicago Technical College where he studied drafting before joining Stelma, a Stamford-based company which specialized in the design, development, and fabrication of data and voice communications equipment. When driving home from the office one day, Frank happened upon a young woman he recognized from the office standing alongside her broken-down purple convertible on the side of the road. He gallantly stopped to help this damsel in distress who turned out to be his future wife and the love of his life.

1962 was a big year for Frank. He started a new job at Perkin-Elmer in Norwalk, CT and married the afore-mentioned love of his life, Geraldine or “Cookie” as she is called. Together, they made Danbury, CT their home where they raised three children.

The 1960’s and early 1970’s were simple and fun times for Frank. As a new homeowner, he unwittingly began cultivating a legacy of fixing things, ultimately earning the nickname “Goodwrench.” His early accomplishments included finishing the basement and putting on an addition to the house. Later in life, he was admired for his adeptness at using duct tape for repairing slippers and tailoring clothes.

Frank was into sports. He played golf, was on a softball team, and in a bowling league.  As much as he enjoyed these activities, he especially loved the comradery and after-game partying with people who turned out to be lifelong friends. In those the early years when his children were young, they looked forward to Wednesday nights when Frank would be in charge of the kids, organizing hide and seek marathons with a bag full of candy to be doled out to the winners. He impressed them with his popcorn-making skills on those nights, shaking a pot on the stove as the kernels burst and raised the lid of the pot.

Frank loved his family and friends almost as much as he loved the New York Giants! He was a season ticket holder for 52 years, and for 52 years, Cookie prepared the tailgate food for him and his three cronies. Attending two Giants’ Superbowl games brought Frank much joy. He lived for shenanigans with his cherished friends. Every outing was a party, from a day on the golf course or an extended trip to Myrtle Beach to New York Giants road trips with the spouses, Mardi Gras, and countless other adventures.

Frank is survived by his wife of 62 years, Geraldine Gavay; his children Cindy Gesualdi; Susan Fisher (Lawrence); Frank Gavay (Caroline); his grandchildren Frank and Maxwell; Carl Gesualdi, Courtney Castro (Joel); Stephanie Holcomb (Sean); Brandon Gesualdi (Kimmy); Zoë and Remi Fisher; his great-granddaughters Sofia and Elianna Castro; and his sister Vilma Gavay. Frank is predeceased by his sister Helen O’Grady (husband, Jack).

Frank’s sometimes gruff demeanor was legendary, but those who truly knew him understood him. Frank lived a content life and wouldn’t have changed a thing and will always be remembered with a smile.

Funeral service will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 1100 8th Ave N, North Myrtle Beach, SC on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 11:00am.

Remembrances can be made through donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 or at https://www.stjude.org.

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