Herkimer/Brooklyn - Francis Falk passed away on October 28, 2022 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital at the age of 94. Uncle Frank, as he was known, was born in Herkimer on February 12, 1928 and was the last surviving child of Carl J. and Gertrude (Metz) Falk. In his youth he enjoyed skating and skiing. He developed such a love for skating that after college he considered pursuing professional work as a skater in an ice show. Starting as a young adult Uncle Frank also had a passion for classical music and playing the piano. He would often accompany his sister Mary when she sang at weddings and other events. His appreciation of classical music followed him his entire life. He was a graduate of Herkimer High School and received his BA and MA at Albany State College. He served as an investigator in the US Army Counter-intelligence Corp. in the Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1956. Uncle Frankwas a case worker at the Herkimer County Dept of Public Welfare for 4 years until he found his true calling in teaching languages, first at Carmel High School in New York, and then Pascack Valley Regional High School in New Jersey. He taught Spanish, French and his favorite language Russian to many students until his retirement in 1979. He took a sabbatical in 1975 to study at the Polytechnic of Central London and earned a Masters in Linguistics degree. After his teaching retirement, he worked for the Social Security Administration in Brooklyn where his Russian served him and his clients well. Perhaps the real reason he got into teaching was because itenabled him have summers off so that he could further his education and travel often. Through the National Defense Education Act, Frank was able to attend several colleges including Northwestern and Indiana Universities. In addition, in 1962 he furthered his Russian studies through the NDEA Institute spending 10 weeks in the Soviet Union. This was the first of his 3 trips to Russia, one of which included taking some of his students there to immerse them in Russian culture. Many of his summers were spent traveling abroad to England, especially London, as well as France. Family members and friends were always welcome to join him during these summer trips. After retiring Frank continued to live in Brooklyn where he enjoyed many of the New York City's cultural venues. In particular, he made frequent trips to Carnegie Hall to enjoy classical music and to Broadway to attend various shows. In 2020, Uncle Frank returned to Herkimer to reside at Claxton Manor until his passing. Ever the bachelor uncle, never having married and no children of his own, Uncle Frank endeared himself to his 15 nieces and nephews. He directed and reviewed their plays, taught them to drive, took them on ski trips, shared his half of the boat and spent time at camps in Big Moose and New Hampshire. With each of them he shared his own special form of love and affection and a special nickname! He leaves his sisters in law, Beatrice (Joe) Falk and Mildred (Ed) Falk and the following nieces and nephews. Jim (Karen) Falk, Kathy Falk, Chris Falk, Marlene Kalwarski, Matt (Mimi) Falk, Eileen (Walt) Lodermeier, Madeline (Jon) Falk, Don Falk, Peg (Dorn) Mar, Anne Falk, Tom Falk, Joan (Clint) Miller, Mary K. (Phil) Cosmo, Pat (Dale) Miller, Carl (Doreen) Falk and several great and great-great nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brothers Joe (Jack, Doker), Charlie (Butch)and Edward and a sister Mary and sister-in-law Margaret (Charlie) Falk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Francis de Sales Church on Thursday November 3 at 9:30 with viewing at 9:00 at the church. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Mary and Frank Falk Music Scholarship c/o Patricia Miller 407 Henry Street, Herkimer, NY. The scholarship will be established for a student graduating from Herkimer High School. Calling Hours

Thursday, November 3, 2022 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

St. Francis deSales Church N. Bellinger Street Herkimer, NY 13350 Mass of Christian Burial

Thursday, November 3, 2022 9:30 AM

St. Francis deSales Church N. Bellinger Street Herkimer, NY 13350