MSG Frank L. Magistro III

Master Sergeant Frank L. Magistro III, 74, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and children at his Topeka, KS home on September 26, 2022. In April of 2010, Frank was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma which has been tied to exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam. With the available treatments, he was given a 12-18 month life expectancy, and bravely endured every available treatment and new advance as they became available. After two recurrences and remissions he was cancer free until September 2022 when he was diagnosed with a new form of cancer in his lungs and was too weak to endure any additional treatment. He returned home with assistance from Midland Care Hospice where he could be with his wife, children and pets. Frank was a Naval Veteran who served three tours in the Vietnam war and following employment with the Santa Fe Railroad, Frito Lay, and American Refrigerated services, enlisted in the Army National Guard, retiring as the Transportation Manager for the State of Kansas at the age of 60 with 23 total years of military service. MSG Magistro was born on October 27, 1947 in Topeka, Kansas to Frank and Margaret Magistro. In 1954, the family moved to The Bronx in New York City where he developed a lifelong love for the New York Yankees and was in Yankee Stadium to witness the 61st home run of Roger Maris. He attended Catholic Grade School and went to Cardinal Hayes High School for his Freshman year where he played basketball against a Power Memorial High School team led by Lew Alcindor, (they didn’t win). In 1962, the family returned to Topeka where Frank began his sophomore year at Hayden High School. After graduating with the class of ‘65, Frank enlisted in the Navy in May of 1966. Following Boot Camp in San Diego, California, he was assigned to the USS Hamner DD718 which provided Gun Fire Support and Plane Guard Detail during the Vietnam War. Although there were some frightening moments, he fondly remembers his first time crossing the equator where he was initiated from a Pollywog to a Shellback. Frank was also a member of the USS Hamner DD718 Reunion Association and attended reunions all across the nation and was also a member of the Tin Can Sailors. Frank was an avid reader, but never let a good book get in the way of watching sports. Any sports, but was especially loyal to KU Basketball, Yankees Baseball, and Chiefs Football. Several years ago, he discovered Facebook and being a dedicated conservative, enjoyed posts of a political nature, but also posts of his beloved grandchildren and pets. Among friends, he proudly owned the title “King of Useless Information” for all trivia related quandaries. His love of music led him to start his own DJ company where, for several years, he entertained guests at parties and events. He had a fierce love for family, his children, grandchildren, pets and never met a pasta dish he didn’t like. He enjoyed many years playing softball, shooting pool in local leagues, pheasant hunting, poker nights and hanging out and playing trivia with his best friend Michael Dreher. Frank also made monthly donations to The Fisher House Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, SCARS, Gary Sinese Foundation, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, St James Academy, Allegro Choirs of KC and many other organizations by request. He was a charitable, kind, funny, larger than life, opinionated man and he will be greatly missed. Frank was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Margaret. He is survived by his wife, Kim Bartunek; his children, BJ (Mandy), David (Meghan), and Maggie; grandchildren, Braden, Harper, and Griffin; brother, Steve (Penny); sister, Mary Lee (Ed); and several nieces and nephews. Family will receive visitors 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 4th, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Funeral Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 5th, at the funeral home with committal service following in Mount Calvary Cemetery with Military Honors in the Veterans Garden. Following the inurnment, family and friends are invited to join us for a celebration of life and storytelling at The Pennant in Historic Downtown Topeka, 915 S Kansas Avenue. In lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, or Allegro Choirs of KC, and sent in care of the funeral home. Full obituary may be viewed and condolences sent online at www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

MSG Frank L. Magistro III

October 27, 1947 - September 26, 2022