EASTHAMPTON -Frank Martin Kessler Sr., 90, died Wednesday, June 17, at Linda Manor in Northampton.

He was born Nov. 18, 1918, in Easthampton, the son of the late William J. and Margaret (Martin) Kessler. He attended Easthampton schools and graduated from Smith Vocational School in Northampton. He was employed by the former Rubber Thread, United Elastic, and JP Stevens all of Easthampton for 42 years, starting his career as an electrician and retiring as electrical plant start up manager in 1980.

Frank was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran from July 1942 to December of 1945. He was a navigator, Aviation Machinist Mate First Class, in the Navy Ventura patrol plane. VB/VPB Squadron 146 conducted sea searches and ASW patrols, attacking ships and land targets from Midway Island. He was a member of the American Legion Dalton- LaVallee Post 224 of Easthampton and Trinity Lutheran Church in Easthampton.

Frank will be remembered by his seven children as a loving and caring father who set an example of how to live a decent life, make the world a better place, and how to treat others fairly. He enjoyed his large family gatherings that occurred often. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elsie M (Herlihy) Kessler; four sons, Frank M Kessler Jr. and wife Anita of Suffield, Conn., William J. Kessler and wife Evelyn of Easthampton, Dennis J. Kessler of Anchorage, Alaska, and Phillip M. Kessler of Huntington; three daughters, Alice L. Mahar and husband Michael of Northampton, Nancy J. Glynn and husband John of Westfield and BettyAnn Kwolek and husband Alexander of Easthampton; one brother, Phillip M. Kessler of Easthampton; three sisters, Ruth Hemmer, Margaret Mohr and Alice Kessler, all of Easthampton; 14 grandchildren, Anita M. Kessler, Frank M. Kessler III and wife Amanda, Ryan M. Mahar, Sean M. Mahar and wife Missy, Jamie M. Mahar and wife Lauren, John M. Glynn and wife Melissa, Kim M. Glynn, Brian T. Kessler and wife Marlene, Rebecca A. Kessler, Jillian E. Kwolek, Alexander G. Kwolek, Darren J. Kessler, David J. Kessler and Lindsay J. Kessler; and two great-grandchildren, Abbey and Ava Mahar. He was predeceased by a brother, William J. Kessler and a sister, Louise Chase.

A military funeral will be Tuesday, June 23, in the Trinity Lutheran Church at 10 a.m. followed by burial in Brookside Cemetery, all of Easthampton. Calling hours will be Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Mitchell Funeral Home, 15 Park St., Easthampton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church General Fund, 7 Clark St., Easthampton MA 01027.