On Friday night, September 29, 2005,
Capt. Francis Willard English, Jr., Captain of the training ship EMPIRE STATE and Commandant of Cadets in 1977 and 1978, passed away in San Diego, California after an unsuccessful battle against cancer. Capt. English, known as Frank, was 78.
Capt. English graduated from the New York State Maritime College in 1946 with his U.S. Coast Guard Third Mates license, and began a long and distinguished career at sea. He sailed first as an Able Bodied Seaman and Third Mate for Isthmian, States Marine and Esso Shipping companies. Then, in 1956 he began 20 years of service in the United States Navy with many assignments at sea on both the U.S. west coast and in the Far East. Among other assignments, he was the First Lieutenant aboard the aircraft carrier the USS YORKTOWN, home port Alameda, California, and Gunnery and Operations Officer aboard the destroyer USS EVERSOLE, home port Yokusuka, Japan. He was the Commanding Officer of the mine sweeper USS VIREO, a number of minesweepers under Mine Divison 31, and the Commanding Officer of an LST, the USS SAN JOAQUIN, all home ported in Japan.
During his last tour of duty in the Navy in San Francisco he sat for and obtained his unlimited U.S. Coast Guard Masters License. He was very proud in 1977 and 1978 to return to his alma mater the State University of New York Maritime College as Captain of the Training Ship the M/V EMPIRE STATE and Commandant of Cadets.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years the former Mildred Pettibone from Seattle, Washington, a sister Norma Ferrell of Albany, Georgia, seven children from his first marriage to Margaret Henderson of Hancock, New York: Craig English of Ridgewood, New Jersey; twins Norma Scuri of Prescott, Arizona and Catherine Soria of Yosemite, California; Julie English of Santa Rosa, California; Beth English of Pacific Grove, California, Michiko English of Fresno, California, and Linda English Fairbanks, Alaska; and twelve grandchildren.
Calling hours will held at the Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel, Hancock, New York on Friday Oct. 7, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The Funeral will follow the net day Oct. 8th , at 11:00 AM at the chapel with Rev. Andrew Weidner officiating. Burial will take place at the Halsey Cemetery, Long Eddy, New York.
FMSAA