SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2011 SESSION

11104309D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 779
Offered February 1, 2011
Celebrating the life of Francis V. Gardner.
----------

Patrons-- Comstock, Abbitt, Abbott, Albo, Alexander, Anderson, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, Richard P., Bell, Robert B., Brink, Bulova, Byron, Carr, Carrico, Cleaveland, Cline, Cole, Cosgrove, Cox, J.A., Cox, M.K., Crockett-Stark, Dance, Ebbin, Edmunds, Englin, Filler-Corn, Garrett, Gilbert, Greason, Habeeb, Herring, Hope, Howell, A.T., Howell, W.J., Hugo, Iaquinto, Ingram, James, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, Keam, Kilgore, Knight, Kory, Landes, LeMunyon, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Loupassi, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Massie, May, McClellan, McQuinn, Merricks, Miller, J.H., Miller, P.J., Morefield, Morgan, Morrissey, Nutter, O'Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Pollard, Purkey, Putney, Robinson, Rust, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Stolle, Surovell, Tata, Torian, Toscano, Tyler, Villanueva, Ward, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts, Wilt and Wright
----------

WHEREAS, Francis V. Gardner, a distinguished World War II veteran, retired federal government employee, and beloved citizen of the Commonwealth, died on June 19, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Francis “Frank” Gardner was born on December 2, 1922, to Ivory and Marie B. Gardner and was one of three siblings; and

WHEREAS, as a youth, Frank Gardner enjoyed bird watching, singing, and storytelling, loves he would carry into adulthood; he became an Eagle Scout at the age of 13; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from St. John’s College High School, Frank Gardner attended Mount St. Mary’s College before his studies were interrupted by World War II; and

WHEREAS, Frank Gardner joined the United States Marine Corps and proudly served as a staff sergeant for four years in some of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific Theater, including Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa; and

WHEREAS, when the war was over, Frank Gardner returned to Mount St. Mary’s College and completed his bachelor’s degree; he then embarked on a successful 13-year career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation that took him to New York and Cleveland; and

WHEREAS, in Ohio, Frank Gardner met his future wife, Geraldine; they married a short while later and eventually relocated back to Virginia, happily raising a large and loving family of nine children; and

WHEREAS, Frank Gardner continued his service to the country as a foreign service officer with the Department of State, moving his family to Mexico for six years to work as an American Consul; he later served as the chief administrative officer for the American Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and

WHEREAS, Frank Gardner retired after an exemplary 30-year career with the Department of State and entered into a busy retirement, writing five books about family history and World War II and poetry; spending time with his family; and cheering on the Washington Redskins and Notre Dame College; and

WHEREAS, at the age of 86, Frank Gardner enthusiastically joined the campaign trail to rally supporters for his son-in-law, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell; and

WHEREAS, Frank Gardner faithfully devoted himself to his family and country throughout his life, profoundly influencing his children and their families and rendering valuable service to the nation; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his devoted wife, Geraldine, and daughter, Nancy, Frank Gardner will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his surviving children, Karen Sheehan, Diane Gardner Bowers, Maureen McDonnell, Lorraine Gardner, Rosemarie Gardner Thomas, Ellen Gardner, Daniel Gardner, and Thomas Gardner and their families, including 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and numerous other family members, friends, and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a distinguished World War II veteran, retired federal government employee, and beloved citizen of the Commonwealth, Francis V. Gardner; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Francis V. Gardner as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.