Roy J. Franta

ROY J. FRANTA, age 79, of Havre de Grace, MD, died on March 13, 2007 at Harford Memorial Hospital, Havre de Grace, MD. Born in Marion, KS, he was the son of the late Michael and Mary Dvork Franta. He served his country in the Marine Corp at the end of WWII. A Harford county resident for 23 years, he came to Maryland in 1948 from Marion, KS. For 28 years, he was CEO at Blue Diamond Trucking Company in Baltimore, MD. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Havre de Grace, MD; a member of the Maurice J. Wolfe Council at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Abingdon; and was a 4th degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. His religion was very important to him and was the center of his life. Always known as a man of great strength both emotionally and physically, he set a great example for those around him. He always loved golf and was a starter at Bulle Rock Golf Course since its beginning six years ago. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the love of his life.

He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Monica Mary Kuchinski Franta, of Havre de Grace, MD; three sons, Alan Franta and his wife, Gina, of Fallston, MD, James Franta and his wife, Joanne, of Glenville, PA and Thomas Franta and his wife, Laura, of Front Royal, VA; a daughter, Deborah Orlitzky and her husband, Bert, of Baldwin, MD; a brother, Lester Franta and his wife, Mayme, of Wichita, KS; a sister, Roseann Bolinger, of Wichita, KS; eight grandchildren, Daniel and Beth Briggs of Towson, MD, Anthony and Alyse Grayber, of Hanover, PA, Joseph Franta, Kristen Franta, Matt Verderamo, Christa Verderamo, all of Fallston, MD, David Kline of Richmond, VA, and Rachael Kline of Glenville, PA; and one great-grandchild, Aidan Grayber of Hanover, PA.