Francis Joseph Farina

Francis “Sonny” Farina

Of Sarasota, FL

Francis Joseph “Sonny” Farina, a proud U.S. Navy Veteran, dedicated rail car inspector for 35 years on the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, loving husband and father, died on May 12, 2026, at his home in Sarasota, Florida at the age of 95.

Born in Susquehanna, PA on May 14, 1930, Frank graduated from Laurel Hill Academy in 1948 and served on aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy until 1952. He married his childhood sweetheart, Margaret “Peggy” Lindgren, on November 20, 1954, in Susquehanna. They raised their four children on Jackson Ave, in the house Frank built by hand. In 1991, Frank and Peggy retired to Sarasota and spent their time traveling, home and abroad, visiting with friends and family, and enjoying the Florida sunshine.

A parishioner of the Church of Incarnation of Sarasota, Frank was also a proud member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Sarasota Elks Lodge, the American Legion, and the Loyal Order of Moose. He was an avid hunter, fisher, and golfed until he was 93. He had an extraordinary imagination for creating both whimsical and useful items, from key hide-aways in door frames to colorfully crafted fishing lures.

A skilled woodworker, plumber, and electrician, Frank kept busy throughout his retirement with a never-ending list of household improvements. He enjoyed using these skills to help many neighbors in his community who came asking for his advice and help.

Family and friends enjoyed stopping in to hear him tell of his many adventures growing up in Susquehanna, traveling around the world in the Navy, and going on his many excursions with Peggy. His musical talents were evident when you heard his bright, melodic whistle or when he played the cherished melodies of one of his favorite songs on the piano, many of which he could play by memory.

He is predeceased by his loving and devoted wife of 51 years, Margaret E. Farina (nee Lindgren); his parents, Dominic and RoseMary (nee Vaccaro) Farina; his sister and her husband, Ann & Jerry Hennessey; his brother and his wife Michael & Ann (nee Breslin) Farina, and his nephew Gary Hennessey.

Frank is survived by his four children, David Farina of Wyomissing, PA; Kathleen and Jeffrey Evans of Mansfield, PA; Ellen Egee of Sarasota, FL; and Mary and Duncan Sze-Tu of Endwell, NY; ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends at Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Ave. Susquehanna, PA, on Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 9:00am to 11:00am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Father Toppo at St. John’s Church in Susquehanna, PA on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 11:00am. The burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery.

Please join us after the cemetery at Red Rock BBQ on PA Route 171, where owners John and Mary Beth will provide food and a place to share your memories. In lieu of flowers, have a drink on Frank.