1st Lt. Frank E. Ekas Jr.

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July 27, 2020

1st Lt. Frank E. Ekas Jr.
Butler County Composite Squadron 712
Pennsylvania Wing

Frank Edward Ekas Jr. (Frankie, Pap) 60, of Saxonburg PA, passed on July 16th at his home surrounded by his family, his two dogs Holly and Angel, and his cat Rambo.  Frank died after a brief but courageous battle with melanoma.

He was born at Butler Memorial Hospital on May 1, 1960.  Frankie was a loving son, raised by two of the best, Frank Edward Ekas Sr. and the late Frances (Peaches) Jean Ekas.  He was their world and they were that to him.

Frank graduated from Knoch High School.  He continued his education at Butler County Community College and Penn State University.  He started working long before he started his education.

Frank Ekas Sr. opened Saxon Golf Course the year Frankie was born and at the age of five he was on the course working alongside his father. This would continue for a lifetime.  You could find Frankie and his father out on the course on any given day.  Frank Ekas Sr. will turn 97 this Saturday.  Saxon and the people there were a love to Frankie. The course was a second home to him.  He was extremely proud of the family owned business.  Saxon will be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and Frankie has been a part of it from the very beginning.  For extra fun in the winter he drove truck for PRS Transit and plowed snow for the Butler County Airport.   

Frank had many achievements in life but the one he was most proud of was his family.  In March of 1995 he married his love Shirley Ann Olczak (Schmidt). This man was an amazing father to seven children. Tancie and Fred Plutyk of Saxonburg, PA. Andy and Dusty Olczak of Chicora, PA.  Nathan and Mary Beth Olczak of Allison Park, PA. and his baby girl Krystle Ann Ekas of Saxonburg, PA.  He was also the worlds best Pap to six grandchildren.  Andrew Olczak of Coraopolis, PA.  Jenna Plutyk of Charlotte, NC.   Dylan and Leah Plutyk of Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA.  Alexander Olczak of Chicora, PA. and Rae Olczak of Allison Park, PA.

Frank was a family man.  His favorite sport, family baseball.  His favorite dinner, the ones spent with his Dad and his family.  His favorite breakfast, Kelly's Restaurant.  His favorite vacation spot, Disney with his big clan.  His grandchildren would tell you their Pap has more photos with Disney characters than they do.  His favorite singer song writer, his daughter Krystle.  He loved family celebrations and most were held at his home.  He would tell you his family would celebrate if someone took a poop.  He would do just about anything to put a smile on our faces.  Once his children complained the line to leave any 4th of July fireworks show was too long.  The very next year he took on this challenge and gave us our very own display of fireworks.  It was held at Saxon.  Over the years this event has turned into a display of appreciation for the community.  Frank welcomed all and this year despite his illness, he continued the tradition and with the help of his nephew Clint Cehily, whom he shared a very special bond, he was able to set off a grand display watched by many.   

Frank was a member of St. Luke's Church in Saxonburg, PA.  He was active in the community and would help anyone in need.  He belonged to the Masons, the Saxonburg Shrine and the Civil Air Patrol.  Frank took flying lessons and became a private pilot.  Flying was a passion.  He even had his own plane and a hangar at the golf course.  He shared this passion with his grandsons.  They made a yearly visit to Oshkosh fly in.  This was Pap's most favorite event of the year and it quickly became one for the boys. Frank also enjoyed boating, water skiing, snow skiing, Nascar racing, and operating large construction equipment.

A life is a collection of stories and this man had many.  He will be remembered by all who knew and loved him.  If you knew Frankie (Pap) then you have a story to tell.

Frank is survived by his Father Frank Edward Ekas Sr., his wife Shirley Ann Ekas, his seven children, his six grandchildren and by numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.  All of whom loved and cared for Frankie deeply.

Frank was preceded in death by his mother Frances (Peaches) Jean Ekas, his paternal grandparents, Alfred and Florence Ekas, his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Browning and his beloved dogs Suzie and Samantha.


Special Note:

It is with great sadness that I inform you that 1Lt Frank E. Ekas Jr., a former member of Butler County Composite Squadron 712, passed on July16th at his home after a brief but courageous battle with melanoma.

His father, Frank Ekas Sr. opened Saxon Golf Course the year Frank Jr. was born and at the age of five he was on the course working alongside his father. This work continued for a lifetime.  You could find Frank and his father out on the course on any given day.  Saxon and the people there were a family to Frank and the course was his second home.  He was extremely proud of the family owned business.  Saxon will be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and Frank has been a part of it from the very beginning.  In the winter months, he drove trucks for PRS Transit and plowed snow for the Butler County Airport.

Frank was active in the community and would help anyone in need.  He belonged to the Masons and the Saxonburg Shrine as well as the Civil Air Patrol.  Frank took flying lessons, became a private pilot and flying was his  passion.  He hangared his plane at the golf course which has a grass strip runway along one side.  He shared this passion with his grandsons and all made a yearly visit to the Oshkosh fly in. 

At Squadron 712, Frank constructed and installed two radio operators' positions in the comm room and played a big part in the HF antenna installation there.

Frank had many achievements in life but the one he was most proud of was his family.  He is survived by his wife, Shirley, their seven children and six grandchildren.  He loved family celebrations and most were held at his home.  He would do just about anything to put a smile on their faces.  Once his children complained the line to leave any 4th of July fireworks show was too long.  The very next year he took on this challenge and gave the family their very own display of fireworks.  It was held at Saxon.  Over the years this event has turned into a display of appreciation for the community.  Frank welcomed all and this year despite his illness, he continued the tradition and with the help of his nephew, he was able to set off a grand display watched by many. 

Col Kevin Berry, CAP

Pennsylvania Wing Commander