DELANSON — Frank Edward Luksa, a World War II veteran who was on the Allies’ lead ship for the invasion of Normandy, could fix anything broken, his family said.

He died peacefully at his daughter’s home in Altamont on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. He was 98.

For 68 years, he was the loving husband of Theresa P. Luksa. “They met at a friend’s wedding and their first dance turned into a lifetime of love,” his family wrote in a tribute. “They are twirling again in heaven.”

Mr. Luksa was born in Edwardsville, Pennsylvania on Oct. 10, 1921 to the late Ellis Island immigrants, Adolf and Josephine Kordowska Luksa, both of Poland. 

As part of the Greatest Generation, he served aboard the naval destroyer, the U.S.S. Herndon (DD-638) as a Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class in World War II.

“The ‘Lucky’ Herndon was the lead ship for all the Allied forces in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day on June 6, 1944. Frank had a ‘birds-eye’ view of the entire invasion from the upper deck while successfully bombarding targets ahead of the first assault waves,” his family wrote. “The Herndon continued to serve tirelessly in the Atlantic and Pacific and escorted President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the historic Yalta Conference.”

Frank and Theresa married in 1950 and raised their family in Delanson. “Frank, fondly known as Gigi, loved his family, the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, raising chickens, and helping every person he could,” his family wrote. “He was a ‘fixer’ of anything broken. He and Theresa enjoyed many reunions with his Herndon shipmates and spending time with local military heroes.

“Frank always wore his World War II hat and told his military history with amazing clarity. Smiling, he handed out hundreds of cards with his handsome 1942 photo on the front and the words ‘Lead ship at Omaha Beach. Deployed in the Atlantic and Pacific’ on the back. He was honored by people everywhere for his sacrifice.”

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Frank Edward Luksa is survived by his loving daughters, Patricia Marciano and her husband, Gerard, of Altamont, Teofila Daley and her husband, Richard, of Princetown, and Laura Duda; by his grandchildren, Anthony Marciano and his wife Nicole, Stephen Marciano, and Elizabeth Duda; by his great-grandchildren, Paisley and Fallon Marciano; and by many dear relatives and friends around the world.

Funeral services will be held in July at the Saratoga National Cemetery.

Memorial messages may be left below.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Rd. Albany, NY 12005.