Tragedy Rocks Springfield

Springfield lost one of its own this past week, when Frank Poulos suddenly passed away at the age of 82. I didn't know Frank as well as some of our other neighbors, but he was always quick with a smile and a pleasure to speak with. He is survived by, among others, his wife Mari Ann. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her and the rest of his family.

(The following is Franks obituary which appears in both the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the El Paso Times).

Frank Pete Poulos, 82, formerly of Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and currently of Dunwoody, Georgia, passed away on May 19, 2009. Born to Pete Poulos and Mary Avramopoula, of Dayton, Ohio, Frank was a first American descendant of Greek parents. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Georgia Poulos, brothers Bill and George Poulos, and his first wife of 43 years, Martha Satterfield Poulos. He is survived by his sister Mary Farquhar, wife Mary Ann Poulos, both of Atlanta, Georgia, sons Victor Poulos and Gregory Poulos of El Paso, Texas and Santa Teresa, New Mexico and grandchildren Ryan Poulos of Austin, Texas and Sarah Poulos of El Paso, Texas. During WW II Frank served honorably in the U.S. Navy. Upon returning from his military service, he graduated from college and law school in Atlanta, Ga. Frank's love of life and adventure led him to a distinguished career with the United States Department of Justice, where he served first as a US Marshal during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, receiving personal commendations from both Attorney General Robert Kennedy and President John Kennedy. Frank continued his service with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and the United States Agency for International Development, serving several years in the Republic of Vietnam assisting the Vietnamese in developing humane prisons for North Vietnamese and Viet Cong prisoners of war. Upon his return to the States after the Vietnam War, he returned to service with the Bureau of Prisons at La Tuna, Texas, where he eventually retired as "Captain". Frank then enjoyed a second career working for Charles Crowder and Santa Teresa Development Corporation where he established and ran the Santa Teresa security program and built and became the first Fire Chief for the Santa Teresa Volunteer Fire Department. Frank's love for life and family and his "can do" attitude will be remembered by all he came into contact with, and his many friends he was blessed with, both in Santa Teresa and Atlanta where he eventually retired with his wife Mary Ann. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made either to the Greek Orthodox Church of Atlanta or the Humane Society of El Paso. Burial of Cremains at Memory Gardens of Santa Teresa, N.M., will be announced.