Francis “Frank” J. Dyra, Jr., 88, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2017. Beloved husband of Mary Julia (nee Kramper) Dyra for 57 years; loving father of James (John Louko) Dyra, Stephen (Laura) Dyra, Gregory (Laura) Dyra, Patricia (James) Lawson and Daniel (Theresa) Dyra. Proud and cherished grandfather of Michael, Diane, Kevin and Daniel Dyra; Luke, Hope, Matthew and Kyle Dyra and Colleen, Ryan and Nolan Dyra.

Fond brother of the late Thomas Dyra, Ann (Robert) Klein, the late Mary (Dr. Edwin) Liebner, the late Patricia Dyra and Barbara (Robert) Becker. Fond brother-in-law of Patricia (the late Dr. Milo) Messner, Kathryn Massey, the late June Marie Kramper and James (Patricia) Kramper. Dear uncle of sixteen nieces and nephews and thirty two grandnieces and grandnephews. Frank was born in Chicago to Francis J. Dyra, Sr. and Catherine Rowan (“Ruane” in Ireland), proud natives of Newport and Doolough, Co. Mayo, Ireland, respectively. He grew up  in St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church Parish.

Frank loved teaching young and adult students in many Chicago area schools, actively contributing time, talent and treasure to St. Mary of the Woods Parish for the past 44 years and serving as a bridge/ sharing news between his nine first cousins in the U.S. and his thirty two first cousins in Ireland/ England. He is most often remembered for giving photographs to nearly every one, memorializing their own milestone moments. 33 year middle school teacher with the Chicago Board of Education (day job) and 46 year adult ESL and GED teacher with City Colleges of Chicago (evening job). Military honors for his US Army Service in Korea from 1952 to 1954. Among first generation to earn a degree of higher education – Northeastern University (1972 Masters, Education), DePaul University (1952 Bachelors, Spanish Language) and DePaul Academy (1947).

Visitation Friday 3-9 p.m. at Cooney Funeral  Home 625 Busse Hwy Park Ridge.  Funeral Saturday 9:30 a.m. from Cooney Funeral Home to St. Mary of the Woods for 10 a.m. mass.  Interment Maryhill Catholic Cemetery, 8600 Milwaukee Ave., Niles.

In lieu of flowers, donations appreciated to Erikson Institute for early child development/ education, 451 North LaSalle, Chicago, Misericordia Heart of Mercy, 6300 N. Ridge Avenue, Chicago, or St. Mary of the Woods Parish, 7033 North Moselle Avenue, Chicago.  Info 847-685-1002 www.cooneyfuneralhome.com.

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