Francis Michael “Frank” Kapalka R.N., 75, a resident of Swoyersville, passed into eternal life on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in beautiful Bermuda, doing what he loved most – traveling with his family.

His loving wife is Daria Krawchuk Kapalka. Frank and Daria were married on August 07, 1976, happily sharing 46 wonderful years of marriage.

Born on February 24, 1948, in Wilkes-Barre, Frank was one of three children born to the late Francis Michael Kapalka and Catherine McGuire Kapalka.

Frank was graduate of the former West Side Central Catholic High School, Kingston, Class of 1966.

After his high school graduation, Frank enlisted with the United States Navy, most notably serving aboard the USS Samuel Gompers, during the Vietnam War. While serving in the Navy, Frank was transferred to the United States Marine Corps to serve as a corpsman and operating room technician at Camp Pendleton for one year. Eventually returning to his Naval service, he received his honorable discharge on March 09, 1971, at the rank of Hospital Corpsman Second Class.

After his military service, Frank went on to attend Luzerne County Community College’s School of Nursing, where he received his Associates Degree to practice as a Registered Nurse.

Frank was employed as an operating room nurse at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, retiring after 40 years of dedicated service to care for his beloved grandchildren.

Frank was a faithful member of the former Holy Trinity Church, Swoyersville, now consolidated into Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, where, for many years, he volunteered with the church’s annual bazaar.

A proud veteran, Frank was a 21-year member of the American Legion, Andrew Lawrence Post 644, Swoyersville. He was also an avid sports enthusiast, and was a great fan of the New York Yankees, New York Giants, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Frank will be remembered for his great cooking skills; his beautiful gardens; his genuine kindness; his great sense of humor; and his love for all animals. Above all, he will be best remembered for the great love and care he had for his family! Although his presence will be deeply missed, he leaves his family and friends with memories that will be cherished forever.

In addition to his parents, Francis and Catherine Kapalka, Frank was preceded in death by his sister, Dolores Kovaleski; and his nephew, James Dzurek.

Left to cherish Frank’s memory are his loving wife, Daria; his two beloved children, Frank Kapalka Jr. and his wife, Michelle, Kingston; and Kristy Kammerer, Swoyersville, and her partner, Chuck; his two grandchildren, Kayden Kammerer and Keldon Kammerer, whom he cherished with all his heart; his brother, Thomas Kapalka and his wife, Marlene, West Wyoming; his nephews, Charles Dzurek, Swoyersville, and Thomas J. Kapalka, Dupont; as well as his extended family and friends.

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend a visitation with Frank’s family on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, with a Memorial Mass to be celebrated at 11:00 AM. The Reverend Father Joseph J. Pisaneschi, his Pastor, will celebrate the Mass.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville, where Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Navy.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort.

To send Frank’s family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home’s website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

The family has kindly requested that flowers be omitted. Memorial contributions may be made in Frank’s memory to the SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 East Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.

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