Francis John Dunn

Francis John Dunn, 71, died suddenly Feb. 20, 2005 at his home in Oak Harbor. Fran or Frank, as his friends knew him, was born in Boston June 15, 1933, to Frank J. and Leota (Healy) Dunn.

Fran attended school in Boston through the 11th grade. He played both football and hockey in school. During his senior year, he transferred to Industrial School, where he was trained as a mechanic.

Fran joined the U. S. Navy in 1953, as a jet mechanic. He was transferred to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and Jan. 28, 1960, was married to Laurette Mae Fike in Oak Harbor. After a tour at NAS Whidbey, the Navy sent the Dunn family to Oxnard, Calif., and on to Hawaii. They returned to Whidbey in 1966, making Oak Harbor their permanent home. Fran retired Jan. 29, 1973, as an ADJ-1 (E-6) with more than 20 years of military service. He was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Following retirement, Fran worked for Lier-Seigler Company as a mechanic in Vietnam for six months and then returned home to work for the Texaco refinery in Anacortes, as a security officer. In 1974, he was one of the first civilian helicopter mechanics hired by civil service. He spent the next 20 years working in helicopter maintenance and repair at the Search and Rescue Unit aboard NAS Whidbey. He retired again in January of 1994.

Fran was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Whitehead-Muzzall Post 7392 of Oak Harbor. He was a former member of the American Legion, George Morris Post 129 and Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 97, both of Oak Harbor.

Fran enjoyed fishing, clam digging, crabbing, hunting, boating, jewelry making and bowling. Over the years he was the owner of three different boats. He was known as a big hearted man who loved children and animals.

Fran Dunn is survived by his wife Laurette Mae Dunn at the family home, Oak Harbor. He is also survived by three children and their spouses, Marnie and Steve Marcus, Shirley and Skip Yadon, and Alcide R. Dunn-Levac, all of Oak Harbor. Two sisters, Phyllis Dunn of Framingham, Mass., and Lillian Cummings of Golf Marathon, Fla., six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren also survive. One daughter, Antoinette Angeline Tripard, one son, Alcide R. Levac IV, and two sisters, Marybelle King and Leota Verra, preceded him in death.

Fran requested no formal funeral services be conducted. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow.