Francis J. Liberatori

LtCol Francis J. Liberatori, USAF (Ret), passed away peacefully on 23 June 2025. He was born in Morea Colliery, PA, to Bernardo Liberatori and Rose Denick Liberatori in 1934. His mother raised the four children in the midst of the great depression after the death of his father in 1940. His cherished wife, Ann Wilcox Liberatori, predeceased him in September 2023.

He is survived by his daughter, Liz Liberatori Coffey, and son-in-law Denis Coffey, Jr., many nieces, nephews, children, and grandchildren of his brothers Anthony, Bernard, and sister Maebeline Liberatori Syers.

Frank received a BS in Chemistry in 1956 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the USAF, being recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate. He was proudly awarded a Research Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania School of Chemistry.

Frank entered Active Duty service in July 1957 and was assigned to primary pilot training at Bainbridge Air Base, Georgia, which he completed in January 1958. He met his beautiful wife Ann from Bonifay, Florida, and they were married at Saint Dominic’s Catholic Church in Panama City in November 1958. They journeyed through 65 years together, treasuring their many pets and having incredible adventures and interesting ports of call.

Frank’s military career spanned over 27 years, including many fulfilling assignments, educational pursuits, and academic honors. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1965 with a BS in Nuclear Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Program at Kansas State University (KSU) and was inducted into the academic honor societies of Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Tau, and Sigma Xi.

He was assigned to the 1155th Tech Ops Squadron as a Nuclear Research Staff Officer and eventually became Chief of the Radio Chemistry Section of the Laboratory. He earned an MS in Nuclear Engineering from KSU and was a long-time member of the American Chemical Society.

In 1972, he was assigned as Base and Squadron Commander of the 794th ACWRON Cape Newenham, AK. Other assignments included Chief of Financial Section at the Air Force Avionics Lab and Liaison Officer between Air Force Wright Aeronautical Labs, the Weapons Lab, and the Armament Division at Eglin AFB. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters during his career.  Frank loved his service in the Air Force and especially had great respect for his colleagues.

After retiring from the Air Force, he worked at SAIC for 11 years as a Research and Analysis Engineer, leading or co-authoring over 70 Technical and/or Contract Test Publications.

He is a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. With the help and understanding of Ann, he was very active with the Holy Name of Jesus and Christ Our Redeemer Councils. He served with pride as Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator. He was involved in the bingo and pasta dinners, Chairman for the Spelling Bee, Great American Patriots Essay Contest, and Constitution Week Project, all supporting and raising money for community activities. 

The family thanks Father Bob Johnson, pastor of COR church, for his pastoral visits to the hospital and home, as well as the members of the Eucharist Committee. Special thanks to Frank’s caregivers for their comprehensive, dedicated, competent support and unfailing good humor these past years.

There will be a visitation at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home on Wednesday, 2 July 2025, from 4:00pm-5:30pm with a recitation of The Rosary from 5:30pm-6:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be at Christ Our Redeemer in Niceville on Thursday, 3 July 2025, at 9:30 am. Frank will be laid to rest alongside his beloved, Ann, at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Salvation Army or Christ Our Redeemer, Knights of Columbus Council 13527, Niceville, Florida.

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