Francis "Frank" Michael Suchter

FRANCIS M. SUCHTER“Frank” RMCS USN (Ret.) Age 83 Francis “Frank” Michael Suchter, of Falls Church, Virginia and Lake Anna, Virginia, originally from Olyphant, Pennsylvania, peacefully passed away on January 21, 2013, at Halquist Memorial Inpatient Center in Arlington, Virginia. Cherished husband of Mary Jo Suchter and loving father of Debra Foster, Diane Verrastro (and her husband Gaetano), Mike Suchter (and his wife Brenda), and Mark Suchter. Doting grandfather of Melissa and John Foster, Gina Verrastro, Joshua and his fiancée, Jennifer Deboard, Patricia, Amanda, Jessica, Trevor and Alyssa Suchter, great-grandfather of Joshua, Jr. and step-grandfather of Catherine Foster. He was also the step-father of Earl Boswell (and his wife Patty) and Jeff Boswell (and his wife Karen) and step-grandfather of Lexi Boswell, Kelli Boswell Hawes (and her husband Matt), and Matt Beyers (and his wife Kay) and several step great grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by his sisters Mary Makoski of Greentown, PA and Anastasia May of District Heights, MD, a multitude of nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was pre-deceased by his brother Emil and his sisters Marcella Suchter (infant) and Helen Cousen.Frank was proud to be a first-generation American, the fifth of six children born to the late Josephine and Frank Suchter who immigrated to America from Czechoslovalia in the early 1920s. He served his country honorably as a “tin can (destroyer) sailor” in the US Navy, retiring as RMCS (Radioman Senior Chief) after 20 years of service. He served aboard the USS Meredith (DD890), USS Soley (DD707), USS Daly (DD519), and the USS Rowe (DD564). His last tour of duty prior to his military retirement was in the Operations Directorate of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon. He retired from active duty on August, 1967. After his military service, Frank served an additional 27 years as a civilian Communications Specialist for the Naval Telecommunications Command in Washington, DC. He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting and camping in the mountains of Western Maryland, fishing and crabbing in the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay, and boating and fishing at Lake Anna. He was a backyard gardener who canned the many tomatoes he grew in his garden and made bread and butter pickles from his home-grown cucumbers. Frank (“the woodman”) also loved to chop firewood with an axe (or a 16 pound sledge hammer and wedge), listen and dance to polka music, and drink cheap beer. But, most of all, he loved to spend time with family and friends, preferably sitting in front of a roaring fire. All who knew Frank will be forever influenced by the way he celebrated life. To Frank – “LIFE IS GOOD” always!In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Capital Caring (hospice) 2900 Telestar Ct. Falls Church, VA 22042, National Multiple Sclerosis Society or charity of your choice.And if I go, while you are still here, know that I still live on ... and when you need me, just whisper my name in your heart.Sailor, rest your oars To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Francis "Frank" Michael Suchter please visit our Sympathy Store.