Obituary of Francis John Burdynski

Francis "Frank" John Burdynski passed on Friday, September 30, 2016 after a long battle with Lyme's Disease and COPD. Born in Kearny, NJ to Joseph and Margaret (Bell) Burdynski on December 20, 1943. He grew up at the Jersey Shore and also spent time as a child in Phoenix, Arizona. But, he was always a "Shore Boy" at heart and he met his wife, Colleen O'Dell in 1987 in Point Pleasant. He moved to Denville, NJ in 1990 and resided here since. He was a self-employed home improvement contractor for many years in Morris and Sussex County. He was the family and neighborhood handyman after Hurricane Irene attempting to champion utilization of the Morris Canal. Frank was a positive, happy-go-lucky guy that was always available to help family, friends, and neighbors with fixing anything, starting cars, picking up materials with his truck, whatever was needed…he was always reliable and ready to help. He is predeceased by his parents, Joe and Margaret, mother-in-law, Claire Braun, and his sons, James and John. He is survived by his beloved wife, Colleen (Braun) O'Dell-Burdynski, his sisters, Joann (George) Robertazzi, Rita (Hugo) DeLotto, and his beloved children, Alison (Gary) Sharpless, Frank Burdynski, Jr., daughter-in-law, Mary Burdynski, Caitlin (Chad) Lodato, Christopher (Cynthia) O'Dell, and his most adored grandchildren, Justin, Blake, Sara, Sabrina, Kyle, Emily, Zachary, Maya, Troy, and Finn. He is also survived by his extended family, Todd (Jean) Braun, Caron (Don) Toth, Chris (Lynne) O'Dell, newphews, Joseph (Laurie) and Jesse (Stephanie) Robertazzi, Gina Walker, and his many adored Burdynski/Braun/O'Dell nephews/nieces and grand-nephews/nieces; and best friends Debbie/Mick Corriveau, Cheryl/Tim O'Dell, and Rick Faulkenberg, as well as many cherished neighbors and friends. Frank relished and was profoundly proud to have served his country in the US Navy. He shared many stories of his adventures and boasted how his ship, the USS Independence CV A62 Aircraft Carrier was the first on site to launch aircraft at the onset of the Vietnam War. He always gave credit to his comrades that served in the "thick" of fighting while he was aboard his beloved ship that privileged him to see the world. Frank's other passion was riding any of his many motorcycles. He also took pride in assuring his yard was the best looking in the neighborhood, and more recently his most cherished pastime was playing cars with his beloved grandson, Troy. He taught Troy how to identify all his matchbox cars from the Chevy Impala to the Mustang Shelby. He was Troy's "Poppie and Special Go-To Guy". No one was more uplifting than Frank. He was always singing and even the staff at the Rockaway Shop-Rite enjoyed his presence as he literally sang in the isles when shopping. His positivity was contagious and if there is ever an after-glow legacy that best describes Frank and how he would want us to continue our journey in life, it's to help your friends and neighbors, strike-up a conversation with a stranger, and love your family unconditionally… his extreme positivity was a blessing that will live on in all that were blessed to know him… Public Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 4th from 4 – 8 pm, with a Funeral Service beginning at 7:30 pm at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Frank's memory to the Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Clinical Research Center, Department of Medicine Development Office, 5200 Eastern Avenue, MFL Center Tower, Suite 356, Baltimore, MD 21224. Check's should be made payable to Johns Hopkins University with IMO Francis Burdynski noted in the memo, or you may make a donation at https://secure.jhu.edu/form/rheumato. Please leave a condolence and special memory for his family.