Francis “Donald” Froze, 89, of Niagara, passed away Monday, October 27, 2014, at the Oscar G. Johnson Veteran’s Hospital.

He was born November 28, 1924, in Niagara, son of the late Herman and Adeline (Lake) Froze.

Don grew up in Niagara and graduated from Niagara High School. He served in the United States Navy from December 11, 1941, until he was honorably discharged on December 15, 1945. Don went through basic training in N.T.S. Great Lakes, Ill. He served on the U.S.S. McKean APD-5 and was in four battles; Guadalcanal-Tulagi Landings (including First Savo), August 7-9, 1942, Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal, August 10, 1942, to February 8, 1943, New Georgia Group Operation, June 20 – October 16, 1943, and Treasury-Bougainville Operation, October 27 to December 15, 1943. During the last operation on November 17, 1943, the U.S.S. McKean was sunk by a Japanese torpedo plane at 4:00 a.m. After 30 days of survival leave, Don was sent to be stationed on the U.S.S. Howorth DD-592. While serving he was in the following battles; Western New Guinea Operations, April 21, 1944 to January 9, 1945, Leyte Operation, October 10 to November 29, 1944, Luzon Operation, December 12 to April 1, 1945, Iow Jima Operation, February 15 to March 16, 1945, and Okinawa Gunto Operation, March 17 to June 30, 1945. Don was released from N.T.S. Nob Norfolk, Va. in 1945.

He was awarded the following medals: Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, American Theatre Medal, and Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal with 9 Stars, Philippine Liberation Medal and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

Don worked at the Niagara Paper Mill for 42 years. He was a member of the VFW Post No. 4581, Norway and American Legion Post 0372, Forestville, Wis. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing and held a pilot’s license for small aircraft. Don cherished the numerous close friendships that he had.

He is survived by three sons, Jeffrey Allan Froze, Brookfield, Wis., John Herman (Lisa) Froze, Portsmouth, Va. and Joel Francis Froze, Iron Mountain, Mich.; one daughter, Barbara (Alex) Rodrigues, Manistique, Mich.; two brothers, Raymond Froze, San Diego, Calif. and Harold (Diane) Froze, Altoona, Wis.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife Joan he was preceded in death by two brothers, Lawrence and Louis Froze; two sisters, Stella Deleeuw and Lorraine Anderson and one granddaughter, Raquel Ariana Lundgren Rodrigues.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 31, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Niagara Chapel. Prayers will be recited, 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Niagara. Rev. Fr. Matt Settle will officiate. Burial will be in Niagara Cemetery, Niagara.

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Niagara Chapel to honor Don’s Legacy of Life.

You may light a candle in remembrance of Don, or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com