Frank W. Warner

Frank W. Warner

VOORHEESVILLE — Frank W. Warner was a loving husband and father, and a leader among industrial photographers. He died Thursday, March 12, 2015, at the age of 94.

“He was my loving father for 60 years,” said his son, Brian.

Mr. Frank Warner was born in East Berne to Aaron and Dora Deitz Warner. He graduated from East Berne School. At the age of 22, Mr. Warner was drafted into the United States Army, where he served in the Air Corps during World War II.

According to an Enterprise interview from 2001, Mr. Warner trained as an Army photographer. He traveled to 12 European countries from 1942 to 1945, recording World War II in sharp black-and-white pictures. He served in the European, African, and Asian theaters doing aerial reconnaissance. Some of his subjects included B-17 bombers displayed beneath the Eiffel Tower in France; French General Charles de Gaulle; Adolf Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest in Germany; and Munich, Germany after being bombed out.

In the interview, Mr. Warner told The Enterprise that he did not approve of war because of the waste and killing involved, but said that he did not resent being drafted into service. World War II was a time in which people accepted their responsibilities, and were filled with great pride in their country, he said.

“You have to just accept being drafted, because it is a good experience,” Mr. Warner said then. “Anyone who does not accept it, misses out.”

After the war, Mr. Warner worked for General Electric and for Niagara Mohawk as an industrial photographer. In his private life, he served as the president of both the Professional Photographers of New York, and the Professional Photographers of America.

“That was his ambition,” said his son, Brian Warner. “When I was growing up, he was busy.” His father, he said, photographed any subject but weddings.

Mr. Warner married Grace May Gerard Warner when he was still a young soldier.

“It was a long, successful marriage of 70 years,” Brian Warner said. Mrs. Warner died two years ago of Alzheimer’s disease, and Mr. Warner did not want to live without her, their son said. Mr. Warner suffered from dementia, his son said. Following his wishes, Mr. Warner stayed in his home until only recently, when he went to St. Peter’s Hospice Inn.

“Both of his granddaughters always liked to visit with him,” his son said. When Mr. Warner grew ill last week, his granddaughter, Anastasia Warner, flew in from her home in the Netherlands and took a taxi to St. Peter’s.

“In five minutes,” Brian Warner said, “he was gone.” He told his daughter, “It looks like he was waiting for you.”

Frank Warner and his son, Brian, did not share many things in common, but lived next door to one another, Brian Warner said.

Mr. Warner was a member of the Voorheesville American Legion, a 32nd-degree Mason, and a Shriner. Mr. Warner was also an avid gardener.

“He had his life. I had mine,” his son said. “He always cared about what I was doing, his family, his granddaughters, and his great-granddaughter.”

****

Frank W. Warner is survived by his son, Brian Gerard Warner and his wife, Barbara Mary Perkins Warner; his granddaughter, Anastasia Marie Warner; his granddaughter, Stephany Lynn Warner McKinley, and her husband, Robert; his great-granddaughter, Layla Marie McKinley; his twin brother, Francis Warner; and his sister, Lillian Bellinger.

His wife, Grace May Gerard Warner; his daughter, Deborah Jean Warner; and his sister, Helen Crosier, died before him.

Calling hours are on Tuesday, March 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. at New Comer Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 18, at 11 a.m. at the New Scotland Presbyterian Church, 2010 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands.

Following the service, his body will be interred with military honors at Memory Gardens, Colonie, at 2 p.m. Arrangements are by the New Comer Funeral Home in Colonie. Mourners may leave a message online at www.NewcomerAlbany.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Scotland Presbyterian Church, 2010 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands.

— Jo E. Prout

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