Frank M. Ganis

FRANK MICHAEL GANIS, 95 of Chesterland, Ohio passed away at Hillcrest Hospital after a brief illness on September 24, 2020. He was born on November 29, 1924 in Rochester, New York. Frank is predeceased by his beloved wife, Josephine Ferraro Ganis, his parents Biagio and Carmela Gangarosa, brothers Sam Ganis, Joseph Ganis, Louis Gangarosa and Ralph Gangarosa, and sisters Josephine Gangarosa and Theresa Iannone.

Frank is survived by a son, Michael Ganis of Simsbury, Connecticut and a daughter, Karina Bellassai (née Karen Ganis) of East Granby, Connecticut, his granddaughter Brenna Ganis of Simsbury, Connecticut, grandsons Keith Ganis of Washington D.C.and Yale Katz of Warwick, Rhode Island, daughter-in-law Jeanne Ganis of Simsbury, Connecticut, a brother Eugene Gangarosa of Stone Mountain, Georgia, many nieces and nephews, and an extended family. Frank was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to everyone. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a great laugh, was kind and gentle to all, and loved to see people happy and laughing. He was an avid ballroom and Argentine tango dancer and loved music and puttering around in his workshop. Frank was always ready to help anyone in need. He walked the life of Christ in his own life, dedicated to the alleviation of the suffering of others in his career as a Biochemist. He loved his country and served in the United States Air Force.

Frank joined the Army Air Corps In 1942 then in 1945 rejoined the Air Force Reserves , serving in the Medical Services Corps and retiring in 1986 as a full Colonel. He continued to lay the wreath at the annual Memorial Day ceremonies at the cemetery in Chesterland until he was 92.

Frank earned his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Rochester in 1955. He had a long and distinguished career in the research of Endocrine Tumors in women. His research directly lead to the elimination of total ablative surgery in women with breast cancer, which was widely performed at the time and which had resulted in a poorer outcome for patients.

He held research and academic positions at the University of Rochester, the University of Maryland in Baltimore, SUNY of Utica, the University of North Carolina in Cullowee (where he established the School of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences and where he created a special outreach program in those disciplines for the Cherokee Nation), and the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine  in Cleveland from which he retired as Vice President of Academic Affairs in 1985. He was the author of thousands of articles and publications in the field of Biochemistry and was an editor of the International Journal of Biochemistry, for decades.

He was a Communicant at St. Anselm Roman Catholic Church In Chesterland, Ohio.

A special thanks to La’Paris Price, LPN for her devotion to our father’s health and happiness. Ever giving and supportive she became his steadfast companion and advocate and contributed significantly to his and his family’s happiness.

A special thanks to the Lantern of Chagrin Valley; to all the nursing, medical and support staff for their excellent care and devotion to the safety and well being of dad and to all of their residents.

A special thanks to friends Sam and Dave Pheasant, whose love and support of dad and of our family have been a great comfort.

A special thanks to DeJohn Funeral Home and Crematorium for being very comforting and accommodating during this difficult time.

A small family Funeral Mass live-streamed for those who would like to dial in, will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church In Simsbury, Connecticut at a date to be announced by the family in November 2020. Due to covid-19, Memorial Masses will be held at future dates to be announced  by the family in Chesterland, Ohio and in Rochester, New York.

Frank’s ashes will be interred beside his beloved wife in White Haven Memorial Park In East Rochester, New York at a future date to be announced by the family.

Donations can be made in memory of Frank M. Ganis, who was a lifelong patron, to St. Jude Children’s Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105