Obituary for Francis C Letavish
Francis C. Letavish passed away peacefully at his home on May 13, 2023 in Dover, Delaware. Fran was born as an only child in Cambria County, Pennsylvania on January 23, 1931 at Miner’s Hospital to his late parents, Cyril J. Letavish and Ann Letavish.
He grew up in the Triple Cities area of Binghamton, New York, where he spent the majority of his life. Fran was a graduate of Binghamton North High School, along with receiving his Associate Degree from Broome Technical Community College, and his Bachelor’s Degree from Empire State College.
Fran was married to his first wife, Theresa Porubiansky Letavish, for 33 years until her passing in 1986. They had two children, Mark and Nancy. He found love again and married his second wife, Susan Hollister Letavish, in 2000.
Fran spent over 40 years of his life in healthcare, serving as an X-ray Technician and Nuclear Medicine Technician. For 20 years, he was the Department Head of the Radiology Department at Wilson Memorial Hospital / United Health Services.
Apart from his professional career, Fran had a passion for music and was extremely talented at playing the saxophone. He learned to play the saxophone in high school and started his own big band. He also played in his father’s polka band and performed with various other small ensembles. After retirement, Fran took up the saxophone again and played with numerous bands in the Binghamton area, including the Blue Velvet Band and the Buddy Spencer Band. He enjoyed volunteering his time playing sing-a-longs at local nursing homes in the Triple Cities area.
In addition to music, Fran also had a love for carpentry and learning about auto mechanics. He enjoyed working with cars, and he was proud of his carpentry skills. In 2009, Fran and Susan relocated to Dover, Delaware, where his main interests became working on the upkeep of his lawn and taking care of his beloved cat, Mini Pearl.
Fran was a devoted husband, son, and father, and friend to all. He is survived by his wife Susan Hollister Letavish, his son Mark Francis Letavish (Marianne Letavish) his daughter Nancy Magerowski (John Magerowski) his step children Kimberly Tribe and Barrett Tribe ( Jen Brown.) He is also survived by his grandchildren Elise Theresa Letavish (Saeed Ashrafzadeh ) Timothy Letavish-Meyd ( Christopher Letavish-Meyd) Sean Letavish ( Elena De Lucia ) and step grandchildren Kiana and Kyla Gaudi.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 12PM Monday, May 22, 2023, at The Church of the Holy Cross, 631 S. State St., Dover. Visitation will be held 10:00 am to 11:30 prior at the Funeral Home of Michael J. Ambruso 1175 S. State St. Dover, DE 19901.
Fran will be laid to rest next to his first wife, Theresa, in Calvary Cemetery located in Johnson City, New York. Internment Service will be held Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. Friends and family are welcomed to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent to The Lupus Foundation of Southern New York in Binghamton, New York, or the First State Animal Center and SPCA in Camden, Delaware.
He grew up in the Triple Cities area of Binghamton, New York, where he spent the majority of his life. Fran was a graduate of Binghamton North High School, along with receiving his Associate Degree from Broome Technical Community College, and his Bachelor’s Degree from Empire State College.
Fran was married to his first wife, Theresa Porubiansky Letavish, for 33 years until her passing in 1986. They had two children, Mark and Nancy. He found love again and married his second wife, Susan Hollister Letavish, in 2000.
Fran spent over 40 years of his life in healthcare, serving as an X-ray Technician and Nuclear Medicine Technician. For 20 years, he was the Department Head of the Radiology Department at Wilson Memorial Hospital / United Health Services.
Apart from his professional career, Fran had a passion for music and was extremely talented at playing the saxophone. He learned to play the saxophone in high school and started his own big band. He also played in his father’s polka band and performed with various other small ensembles. After retirement, Fran took up the saxophone again and played with numerous bands in the Binghamton area, including the Blue Velvet Band and the Buddy Spencer Band. He enjoyed volunteering his time playing sing-a-longs at local nursing homes in the Triple Cities area.
In addition to music, Fran also had a love for carpentry and learning about auto mechanics. He enjoyed working with cars, and he was proud of his carpentry skills. In 2009, Fran and Susan relocated to Dover, Delaware, where his main interests became working on the upkeep of his lawn and taking care of his beloved cat, Mini Pearl.
Fran was a devoted husband, son, and father, and friend to all. He is survived by his wife Susan Hollister Letavish, his son Mark Francis Letavish (Marianne Letavish) his daughter Nancy Magerowski (John Magerowski) his step children Kimberly Tribe and Barrett Tribe ( Jen Brown.) He is also survived by his grandchildren Elise Theresa Letavish (Saeed Ashrafzadeh ) Timothy Letavish-Meyd ( Christopher Letavish-Meyd) Sean Letavish ( Elena De Lucia ) and step grandchildren Kiana and Kyla Gaudi.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 12PM Monday, May 22, 2023, at The Church of the Holy Cross, 631 S. State St., Dover. Visitation will be held 10:00 am to 11:30 prior at the Funeral Home of Michael J. Ambruso 1175 S. State St. Dover, DE 19901.
Fran will be laid to rest next to his first wife, Theresa, in Calvary Cemetery located in Johnson City, New York. Internment Service will be held Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. Friends and family are welcomed to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent to The Lupus Foundation of Southern New York in Binghamton, New York, or the First State Animal Center and SPCA in Camden, Delaware.