PIECHOTA

Francis (Fran) Anthony Piechota, 93, of Whispering Pines, died peacefully Monday, January 28, 2013, at FirstHealth Hospice House, in Pinehurst, surrounded by family members, after a long period of illness.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31, at Eureka Presbyterian Church, on Farm Life School Road, Carthage. Friends are invited to visit with the family following the service in the church fellowship hall. Light refreshments will be served by the Women of Eureka Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park, Southern Pines.
Fran was a proud first-generation Polish-American, the youngest child of Ludwig (Louis) and Mary Piechota, of Olean, N.Y.. He was born Dec. 2, 1919.
Fran was a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1946. Following his departure from the service, Fran returned to his hometown of Olean, attended St. Bonaventure University, and began his career with Daystrom Furniture, a high-style kitchen dinette manufacturer. In 1962, Fran was chosen by the parent company to bring Daystom Furniture to South Boston, Va., where he held the positions of controller, general manager, and ended his career as president of Daystrom and two other sister companies for 18 years. He retired in 1978.
Fran loved his family, golf, traveling, and especially participating in slot tournaments in Las Vegas.
He is survived by Linda, his wife of 33 years; and his seven children, Michael and Joseph (Ginny), of Cary, Kathleen, of Atlanta, Vincent (Sarah), Danville, Va., Louis, of Richmond, Va., Grace (David) Wight, of Irmo, S.C., and Frances (Wayne), of Virginia Beach, Va. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Ashley Piechota, Ryan (Sara) Piechota, Sara Wight and Kelly Wight; and two great-grandchildren, Olivia Jean Piechota and Olivia Paige Nystrom.
Fran was predeceased by his first wife, Shirley, mother of their seven children; and his brothers and sisters, Clara Macknica, Helen Piechota, Walter Piechota and John Piechota.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374; or to Moore County Humane Society, 5355 N.C. 22, Carthage, NC 28327. Online condolences can be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family.