Obituary of Frank Vail Jr.

Frank C. Vail Jr., a retired self employed carpenter died Friday, May 14, 2010 at Autumn View Manor nursing facility, Hamburg, NY after a four month struggle with cancer. He was 76. Mr Vail was born in Derby, NY where he lived his entire life except for his years of service in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. A 1951 Graduate of Angola High School, he served as a crew chief on a B-47 bomber, which flew reconnaissance missions over the coast of Russia during his tour of duty in London, England After his discharge, Mr. Vail started his own business, Vail Installation Company, and was responsible for installing aluminum windows, doors, awnings and siding throughout Western New York. Thanks to his love of woodworking and the out of doors, he re named his business in 1976. The Vikings Woodcrafters and Outfitters, focused on residential construction and remodeling,as well as canoe rentals. Eventually he opened the Vikings Adventure Outfitters, offering local tours and a complete line of camping and canoeing supplies. Mr. Vail was also involved with Boy Scout Troop 578, Derby, where he served from 1965 - 2005. He was Scoutmaster for 15 of those years, the longest term for a Scoutmaster in the troop's 91 year history. In 1998, he founded Kanoeing For Kids, a fund raising canoe expedition to support Camp Good Days and Special Times. Over its twelve year history K4K raised over $100,000 for the camp. In his retirement, Mr. Vail enjoyed numerous road trips with his wife, Edel, including excursions to Alaska, the Florida Keys and the Grand Canyon, as well as a month long trip to her native Norway in 1999. In addition to his wife of 49 years, the former Edel Solberg, Mr. Vail is survived by his sons; Frank C. III, Eric, Gary, Michael and Todd Vail; a daughter Karen E. Pszonak, 16 grandchildren and one great grandchild. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 22, at 3:00 PM at the First Church of Evans, Corner of Sturgeon Point Road and Route 5, Derby, NY Private interment services will take place in the First Church of Evans Cemetery. Memorials in Mr. Vails memory may be made to Camp Good Days and Special Times, C/O of the Lakeshore Federal Credit Union.