Class of GHHS 1957

Up-Close & Personal

Meet your Classmate: Frank Braski... & Family

1955 1957

By Marilyn Braski

After high school Frank went 4 years to college and 5 years into the seminary to become a Catholic priest. After he left the seminary he worked a year and then wanted to serve his country. He volunteered into the army for three years. He served in Vietnam and was sent to Fort Benning, GA. for his last year. He was the Catholic Chaplin's assistant. In 1966 my husband was killed in Vietnam leaving me with 7 children, from 9 months to 11 yrs. I am originally from Maine; however I decided to stay here because of the medical and privileges here at Fort Benning. I had a home built and we live just 1/2 mile from the post. I attended church on post. My three older boys were Altar boys and worked with Frank. They really liked him and started asking him to go fishing with them at a little lake back of our house. Then came football, baseball etc. I invited Frank with 2 or three of his buddies out, as they enjoyed getting out of the barracks. It was a break for me as they played with all the boys.

Our wedding day in October of '69. On the back left: Mike 14, Tom 13, Bill 3, Pat 5, Dan 6, Margo 10 and John 12, and of course Frank and I.

Frank was 30 when we married. Being older than he I was very reluctant to marry him as I thought he should marry someone younger. He got out of the army in February 1970 and went to school to receive his teacher's certificate. In 1971 Frank and I were blessed when Frankie our son was born. Frank was hired as a teacher in a project school in a very poor neighborhood and stayed there for 30 years. He taught science and was the Muscogee County teacher of the year, one year, and teacher of the year at his school for many, many years. He retired a few years ago from the public school and taught a couple of years in our Catholic school. At my request he finally stopped and we did some traveling and hope to do more. The last thing I want to tell you is that all my children have the greatest respect for Frank and are very generous to us. Again this is all for you to see what a one and a million person that I met in church. It had to be providential.

Back row: John, (Alma, GA) Science teacher and coach, married, no children; Dan, (Phoenix City, AL) Computer guru for Blue Coss, married, 3 boys; Tom, (Houston, TX) NASA engineer, married, 2 boys, 1 girl; Frankie (Columbus, GA) IBM Consultant, married with a boy and girl and one on the way; Pat (Warner Robins, GA) Franchise owner operator of Chic Filet, married 4 girls, 1 boy; Bill (Columbus, GA) Works for Hewlitt Packard, married a girl from Poland, one son; Seated: Margo, Pastoral Assistant at St. Anne Catholic Church, married, 2 girls, 1 boy; Frank and Marilyn; Mike former CIA analyst, now teaches in a private school in Athens GA. Engaged (never married.)

This is our family portrait done in December before Christmas, 2003. It's rare that we are all together, with 8 children and 17 grandchildren. The colors were a suggestion by the photographer--blue jeans with red white and/or blue shirts. She had used it before and thought it would work well with our large group.

Well there it is. Probably more than you really wanted to know. But they are all good kids, and each has done well in their own way. We are very proud of them.

Thanks Bev,
Frank

Thanks for your interest Bev. Frank was up late looking at all the pictures on the website. It's fabulous. It actually got him interested in the computer. He never understood why I spent time on it. He loved Grand Haven and his time spent there. All the pictures brought back such wonderful memories for him. As he told you we went to the 25th. I never understood why he was so anxious to go back to a place where he was only there two years.
Keep up the good work.
Marilyn

The Braski's live in Columbus, Georgia and are planning to attend the 50th.
Feel free to drop them a line at: braski@knology.net