Francis G. ( Frank) Patnaude was born July 27 1920 in Lowell, Mass. into a family of 4 sisters and 2 brothers. Since the country was in the middle of the Depression, he worked a paper route for the Lowell Sun, as well as working on a farm called Peacock Farm at Pelham, N. H. He was also an exceptional baseball pitcher playing for such American Legion clubs as the Brownies.
In November 1940, Frank enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served at Randolph Field - San Antonio, Tx., Savannah Army Air Base - Savannah, Ga., Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. He was discharged from the USAAF on October 2, 1945 at Westover Field - Lowell, Massachusetts.
After his discharge, Frank
owned and ran a popular bar room " The Rainbow Spar" in Tyngsboro,
Massachusetts, next to Lakeview, which was very popular during the 40s
& 50s. He also worked for Bolta Products in Lawrence Mass, which was sold to General Tire & Rubber Company. He
became involved with the United Plastic Workers Of America, becoming
President of Local 243, holding that post for approximately 27 years, as
well as on the Executive Board and retired with 30 years service with
the company. Frank married Helen
Stanewicz (Photo 2) on May 15 1949 in Chelmsford Massachusetts at St.
Johns Evangelist Church. They had 3 children, two sons - Neal &
David and one daughter, Carole.
