SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - Francis “Frank” Aloysius Buchheit, Sr., 77, passed away Friday, December 4, 2009, at his home. A native of Savannah, he was born March 1, 1932, the youngest of seven children. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated from Savannah High School in 1951. He went to work for the Central of Georgia Railroad and then served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War Era advancing to the rank of Sergeant. After his service he returned home and began working for a transportation company and also attended Armstrong Junior College, graduating in 1960 with degrees in both Business and Transportation. He worked for several major trucking companies in both sales and management. Frank started a second career with Home Depot in 1989 and was still employed there at the time of his death.

Frank was a communicant of St. James Catholic Church. He is a member of the American Legion and a former member of the Knights of Columbus, the Irish Heritage Society and the Transportation Club of Savannah.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Louis Buchheit and Mary Best Buchheit, and sisters Mozelle Miller, Elizabeth Alonso, Fredricka “Freddie“ Buck and Margaret Sue Hennessey.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Barbara Watts Buchheit, four daughters, Jenny Bartholomew (Robert), Joan Altmeyer, Melissa Ann Buchheit, Melanie Racine (James), and one son, F. Aloysius “Al“ Buchheit, Jr. He also is survived by a sister, Theresa B. Ryan and a brother, Philip C. Buchheit, five grandchildren, Jillian Altmeyer, Elizabeth, Meagan and Matthew Bartholomew, and Jefferson Racine along with many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to offer their deep gratitude to Frank’s Home Depot Family for their love and support and to Dr. Lorenz and his staff for their exceptional care.

A Rosary will be held at St. James Catholic Church on Sunday at 4:30 o’clock with the family receiving friends afterward until 6 o’clock.

The Mass of Christian Burial, with military honors, will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Monday at 11 o’clock conducted by the Reverend Mark J. Ross. A private internment will be in Laurel Grove Cemetery.

Remembrances: St. James School and Church, St. Vincent Academy or Benedictine.