Frank Joseph Niemas, Jr.

Frank Joseph Niemas, Jr. of Orlando, Florida passed away on Saturday, November 19th 2022. He was 76. 

Frank was born in Newark, New Jersey on March 18th, 1946. He was the son of Frank and Teresa Niemas and younger brother of Terry Lasiewski. 

He grew up in HIllside, New Jersey and attended Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. Frank received his Master’s degree at Florida Institute of Technology (now UCF). He worked at Martin Marietta now known as Lockheed Martin for over 30 years. Frank was a mechanical engineer. Arline referred to him as a rocket scientist, because he worked on control systems of missiles.

Frank met the love of his life on Valentine’s Day on a blind date. Frank and Arline both knew immediately that God had put them together. Frank used to say that it wasn’t by chance that they met, that it was God who placed them together.  Seven months later they were engaged and were married a year later. Frank and Arline were married at Sacred Heart Church in Carteret, New Jersey on July 11th, 1970. 

Frank and Arline made a life changing decision by moving to Orlando in 1972. They have resided in Orlando ever since. They were married for 52 years.

Frank was a kind, gentle, intelligent, and humorous man. He was a devoted husband, loving father, proud papa, and special friend. Frank was a faithful man who inspired others by living his life. Frank was a devoted member of the Companions, a lay association of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. He truly understood Precious Blood spirituality. His family meant the world to him. When he was able to, he was the first to get on the ground and play with his grandchildren. He had a fantastic sense of humor and had an amazing ability to draw you into his story only to find out he was pulling you into his joke. He only gave it away with a little smirk. Frank loved to sing loudly even if he didn’t know the words or the language. He had a tremendous love of trains. He had trains set up in his basement with his dad. He loved White Castles, history, and green Creme de Menthe. He enjoyed barbecuing for family and friends especially in his backyard. He loved the underdogs and especially the New York Mets and Brooklyn Dodgers. 

Frank is survived by his wife Arline, daughters Heather Niemas, Jennifer Gilbert (Scott), grandchildren, Lucas Niemas, Cole Niemas, Madeline Gilbert, Benjamin Gilbert, and Oliver Gilbert. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Teresa and his children, Frank and Mary, who were born too early. 

A visitation for family and friends will be held at Dobbs Funeral Home from 5-7 pm on Monday, November 28th. The funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, November 29th at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 11 am. The address is: 834 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Apopka 32703. There will be a reception immediately following the funeral at the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends are invited to make a donation to Cornerstone Hospice.