Harvey, Francis M. Jr., Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)

June 27, 1944 – October 07, 2021

Lt. Colonel Francis M. Harvey, Jr., passed away at Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, FL. during the early hours of the morning on October 7, th, 2021, after an eight-month fight with cancer. Francis was born in Stamford, CT. on June 27th, 1944, to Francis M. and Mary Harvey who had predeceased him in death.

He had a distinguished military career, spending 5 yrs. first in the Army, he was a Vietnam Veteran then joining the Air Force as a pilot. He reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by the time he retired 22 years later.

He was stationed at McConnell ARB in Wichita when he retired and not being one to do nothing for very long, he began a new career as a Flight Instructor with Flight Safety International. He loved his work and those he worked with. He retired from FSI after more than 20 yrs.

He is survived by his wife Sandra Gandy Harvey whom he married in 2010. He is survived by four grown daughters. Mary Jo Pheniox, of Kirkland, WA., Mary Ellen Travis of Milford, OH., Karen Urelius of Seattle, WA, Kathleen Harvey of Topeka, KS., a son Francis Mike Harvey of Wichita, KS, and seven wonderful grandchildren.

Frank was a train enthusiast from an early age. Perhaps his father working as a conductor on the New Haven commuter line had something to do with this, but it lasted throughout his lifetime. He was a member of several train clubs and was quite active in the Toy Train Club of Wichita and was a big part in helping them start up their new location there.

He had many friends, was a member of a variety of organizations, and was a member of the Squires during his Fairfield University days. He was named Mickey by his friends, and he maintained the nickname as well as many of his childhood friendships into adulthood. He was a jokester, a prankster, and a pretty amazing man with a high intellect, sharp wit, and always ready to help a friend or neighbor in need.

He became a Studebaker buff and collected antique Studebakers, belonged to numerous clubs, attended as many monthly meetings and annual conferences and meets across the country as he possibly could. He made many good friends through his Studebaker activities.

He was enjoying his retirement in FL. He and Sandy enjoyed various activities in their community, especially the monthly boat club luncheons. They had begun planning the trip to Maine for next year that they’d talked about since his retirement in 2017 and had also planned a move back to Kansas in the near future to live out their final years.

He was loved by many and will be missed immensely

Published by Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation – The Villages on Oct. 21, 2021.