ROSE FAULX was very active in the civic affairs of Ford City. She, along with William Kracht and Joseph Kamer, worked hard to establish a library. They begged for books, money to buy books and a place to use for a library. She was a member of the Ford City Library Board from 1944-1967. She also worked with Bill and Joe organizing and sponsoring teenage dances and other projects for entertainment. She was a member of the Recreation Committee responsible for the development of the playgrounds. Rose Faulx was the organist at the First Presbyterian Church in Ford City for many years and worked with the ladies group within the church. She was chosen by the Ford City Lions Club as their Man of the Year in 1952.

FRANK MARTIN FAYKOSH, son of Lawrence and Mary Faykosh, was born in Ford City on March 22, 1913. With the exception of the time spent away during World War Two, Frank spent most of his life here. He was an active businessman in Ford City for more than half a century. Frank was married to the former Mary Ann Mraz and they had three children and two grandchildren. Educated in our local schools, he graduated from Ford City High School in 1933. An outstanding athlete, he lettered four years in football, three years in track and two years in basketball. He played on championship teams for football. He also played the little drums in the high school band and served his graduating class as its president in both his junior and senior years. Frank also actively participated on the Sokol gymnastic teams during the Thirties when they excelled as champions in Pennsylvania competitions. He also played drums in the Natrona Fireman’s Band for three years. Frank entered Dolan College of Embalming in Philadelphia in 1941, starting Frank Faykosh Funeral Home here in Ford City in May, 1943. At the close of World War Two in 1945, he, along with Nick Hnatiow, stood as honor guard when the original war memorial was dedicated in Ford Park. Before an ambulance service was formed in Ford City, Frank permitted his hearses to be used at no charge to the community. For over thirty years the Faykosh Funeral Home has provided calendars to the local parochial schools and churches. Frank was very active as a member of the Ford City Centennial Celebration Committee, lending his expertise in solving the parking problems accompanying such an endeavor. He erected in Ford Park a beautiful purple and gold monument commemorating the 100th anniversary of Ford City’s founding by Captain John B. Ford in 1987. For a number of years, Frank was heavily involved in community affairs, including service in the Ford City Kiwanis Club.

DR. ROSWELL H. FICHTHORN was born in Manorville on July 26, 1907 to Joseph and Cora (Howard) Fichthorn. He attended the public schools in Ford City and graduated FCHS in 1925. An outstanding pitcher and third baseman, he captained a team that won nine of its twelve games. In his senior year, he batted a phenomenal .423, a Ford City High School record. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University of Medicine in Philadelphia. He was an outstanding student. Graduating in 1933, he spent the next 33 years in McGrann caring for and healing the sick. He was a devoted, caring physician who gave his entire life to his patients. He came armed with a contagious smile, a collection of funny stories, excellent healing skills and a deep sense of commitment and service. He was a family physician who made house calls any time of the day or night. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, always having the finest firearms and hunting dogs. He had thousands of people who called him their friend. “Dee” married Wanda Stepinski of Ford City. They had three sons, William, James and Dr. Joseph and one daughter, Dr. Patricia Ann Wells. Dr. Fichthorn passed away on November 8, 1971.

WALTER FOLCIK came to America from Poland at the age of fifteen. He worked for five years at PPG while delivering bread for Pechan’s Bakery. He bought a butcher shop in 1921 and then opened a tavern and gas station. He went to night school at Ford City High School for two years in able to better read, write and speak English. Walter was very active in his church, St. Francis de Paola, where he served on many church committees for many years. He was active in Borough politics, serving on Council for four years. He was president of the PNA and American Slovenian clubs and served as a delegate to many national conventions. He was a member of the Kiwanis and served on the Ford City Library Board.

JENNIE FRISINA was born to Samuel and Teresa (Cristofaro) Senopole in Pittsburgh on June 23, 1904. Both of her parents were born in Italy. She came from a family of four, three girls and one boy. The family moved to Ford City when Jennie was five or six. The family all worked in the family store that operated from their home in Bellwood Gardens and helped their father sell fruit from his fruit cart across from the railroad station in Kittanning. The oldest children sacrificed a complete formal education to go to work at early ages. They learned the basics at St. Mary’s Parochial School in Ford City and through living a good Christian life and hard work, they succeeded. At sixteen, Jennie married John Frisina, a maintenance foreman for the Pennsylvania Railroad. They bought a home at 1318 Fourth Avenue in Ford City. Jennie still lives in the home. They were the parents of four children: Samuel, Anthony, Kathleen and Rose Jane. She became a single parent after her husband John was killed by a hit-and-run driver near their home. Jennie and her son Sam helped her aging mother operate the family store until she passed away. At the age of 65, Jennie and Sam opened their own store on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Fourteenth Street-“Sam’s Market”. They would open and operate the store six days per week years until it closed and was sold thirty years later. Jennie was 90 years old when she finally retired. Jennie Frisina always was a hard worker and took care of herself and her family. She relied on her inner resources to make things successful. Her work ethic was exemplary. Jennie was a strong Christian woman; a fine role model for others to follow.

SAM FRISINA was one of four children born to John and Jennie (Senopole) Frisina. He was born in Ford City on February 23, 1927. He attended St. Mary’s Parochial School and graduated from Ford City High School in 1945. He was employed by Steve Nickleach for a number of years, working for him eight hours per day then working in his grandmother’s store afterward. Sixty hour weeks were routine for Sam. He had a great deal of experience as manager and worker. Somehow, Sam found the time to coach winning basketball teams for St. Mary’s Parochial School for over twenty years. He purchased a station wagon, basketballs and uniforms, treated his players to meals and snacks at away games, paid for the gas and taught them to be good Christian young men. When cheerleaders accompanied the team during championship games, Sam always treated them with candy and ice cream cones after the game. He has always been involved with the Church and made an annual retreat with friends to the University of Notre Dame for many years. For many years, Sam was a member of the Ford City Lion’s Club. This organization honored Sam many times for his work in the greater Ford City area. His greatest hobby is watching sports on television and he can discuss all of them with great intelligence and enthusiasm . Sam’s customers always marveled at his uncanny ability to add dozens of numbers in his head while he was waiting on them. Up until the time he suffered a setback in his health, he attended St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church regularly. Sam Frisina is a very charitable man and always has a smile for everyone he meets.

DAVID GOLDMAN was born in Germany where he received his education including attending Koenigsburg College before coming to the United States in 1888. He took up residence in Ford City in 1900. He was active in local business and civic life for 41 years and was often a state or federal office holder. He once served as a U.S. Marshall (1921-1934). David built the Commercial Hotel on Ford Street and five years later sold it and purchased the Heilman Distillery in Manor Township in 1907. He purchased the Park Hotel in 1911 and operated it as a hotel before turning it into apartments. He served as Justice of Peace in 1910 and 1911. He served as a member of borough council. David started the Ford City Fire Company and was its first president. He was a founder of the Ford City Eagles Club and was a co-founder of the Armstrong County Building and Loan.

LT. COLONEL JOHN GURSKI was a star basketball player in high school for the 1948 state finalist team, a star end for the Naval Academy team from 1950-1952. During his football days at Navy, he played in the East-West Shrine game, receiving most valuable player honors for the game. He served over twenty years in the United States Navy.