Frank Theodore Southfield

Frank Theodore Southfield, born December 23, 1945 in Oneida, New York, to Frank and Ruth Southfield, passed away on November 14th at his home in The Villages, FL. He graduated from Oneida High School in 1964 and Xavier University in 1968. Frank was commissioned as a Lieutenant after completing ROTC at Xavier. He served in the US Army Cavalry as a Field Artillery Unit Commander and served in Vietnam. After returning from Vietnam and leaving the Army, Frank and Carol were married in 1971 and happily married for the next 48 years. Frank worked in the pharmaceutical industry from 1970 until he retired in 2001. Starting with Norwich Pharmaceutical and retiring from Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he was Director of Sales Operations. He was well respected by all those with whom he worked and was an encouraging and positive mentor to everyone, especially his female colleagues. His secretary, Daye, was like a daughter to him and he encouraged her to further her studies and advance her career. He strived to set an example to all for a work-life balance that emphasized family first. Frank was an avid golfer all of his life, and access to year round golf was one of the driving forces for his move to The Villages in 2001. The Villages quickly became his home and community, and the friends he made there were among his closest friends. Frank and Carol also enjoyed traveling and took numerous cruises over the last 20 years. Frank and Carol even visited Burma and Kazakhstan to visit their son and (most importantly) granddaughters, who he adored and spoiled throughout their lives. Frank could often be seen around The Villages wearing one of his Vietnam veteran hats and always be counted on for a smile, a hello, and trying to get to know everyone he came across at least a little bit. Frank was a starter and an ambassador at Glenview golf course for 12 years. He was also a regular, especially on Mondays, at Glenview restaurant where he was always joking and laughing with the staff. In recent years, he made friends with other regulars at the Metro Diner for breakfast and enjoyed being with his friends there, including the wonderful staff. He loved telling "dad" and "grand-dad" jokes to the amusement of everyone and his sense of humor will be missed and remembered by all who knew him. Frank is survived by his wife Carol, his brothers, John and Ted, his two sons, Frank (Julie) and Mike, and two granddaughters Allison and Amanda. In addition, he is survived by his best buddy, Pumpkin the cat. His funeral mass will be Friday, November 22nd, at St. Mark the Evangelist Church, 7081 SE Hwy 42, Summerfield, FL, at 10 AM. A reception will immediately follow in the church hall and burial will be at Florida National Cemetery, in Bushnell at 2 PM. All those attending are encouraged to wear red in salute to troops and veterans. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Gary Sinise foundation or a local veterans charity of your choice, or the ASPCA or another organization supporting pet well-being. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory, Lady Lake, FL. Online condolences may be left at www.BeyersFuneralHome.com

Frank Theodore Southfield

December 23, 1945 - November 14, 2019