Obituary of Franz "Frank" Pani

On Thursday, August 26, 2021 Franz “Frank” Pani died at his home in Franklin Square, New York, which was where he had lived for more than 40 years. He was 90 years old. He is survived by his wife, Erika and daughters, Maria and Christa and was preceded in death by his daughter Hedi, his father Josef, mother Agnes, brother Josef “Pepi”, and sisters Agnes and Caroline “Lini”. Frank, the youngest of the Pani siblings, was born on September 29, 1930 in Austria, in the small village of Kroatisch Tschantschendorf. He married Erika in 1955 and they emigrated to America, arriving in New York in January 1959, where they welcomed their third daughter, Christa, a few weeks later. Always working, they built a good life for their family, despite their very humble beginnings. Over the years, Frank worked in construction, then as a machinist working first for Knickerbocker Brewery in Manhattan, then Schaefer Brewery in Brooklyn. He finished out his work years at JFK International Airport, working for American Airlines. He and Erika enjoyed traveling and went on many trips, both on their own and with their friends. They really liked the islands of the Caribbean, especially those with casinos. Frank was the best father a daughter could ask for. Always there with a helping hand. He was the same way with friends. Everyone liked him. All the neighbors knew him. He was a kind, generous, good man. He will be sorely missed.