Frank E Semersky, Jr

FRANK E. SEMERSKY, JR. Frank E. Semersky, Jr., 72, of Holland, OH, passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2019, surrounded by his loving family, at Ebeid Hospice. Frank was born December 29, 1946, in Toledo, Ohio, to Frank E. and RoseMary Semersky. After graduating from Clay High School at the age of 16, Frank pursued his education at Columbia University where he earned a bachelor's degree in science. His externships celebrated his love of science, and included a summerlong scuba-diving marine biology project in the Atlantic Ocean, and an extended meteorological study in Colorado Springs. Other projects involved research dedicated to the enzymatic characteristics of the Venus flytrap, and another dedicated to the fungal diseases of trout in the Blue Hole of Castalia, Ohio. Following graduation from Columbia University, Frank began his career as a research scientist at Owens-Illinois where he worked in the Life Research Center for 17 years. Frank then joined Plastic Technologies, Inc., Holland, Ohio, where he held the title of Vice President, New Business Development from 1987-2011, when he retired. In this capacity, he was the creative force behind PTI-Europe, and was responsible for the activities of that company. Frank was an internationally recognized expert and innovative leader in the packaging industry for over 30 years. He was experienced in all phases of plastic packaging, including container performance requirements, resin selection and evaluation, and container design, development and commercialization. Due to his dedicated research and invention acumen, Frank holds more than 80 patents in many technical areas, including plastic container technology. He was also instrumental in the creation and leadership of the other two companies within the PTI family: PTI- International and The Packaging Conference. He had an international office in Switzerland, and both his business and personal traveling led him literally around the world. He had a brilliant analytical mind that never dimmed, and his wit and sense of humor remained forever sharp. As a lover of fine food and as a self-professed food critic, he enjoyed and appreciated wonderful cuisine around the world. Taking a brief break from his science-based career, he enjoyed a stint as a restaurateur, too. He was an avid Detroit Tigers and Lions fan. Growing up near Maumee Bay, he developed a love for nature. He was a dog lover and an avid bird watcher, enjoyed fishing, and took pride in his photography skills. Frank not only loved to garden, but was also a landscape artist. His Michigan cottage was his place of joy and pride. Approaching his yard as a blank canvas, Frank created a cottage garden worthy of the cover of a gardening magazine. Frank is survived by his sister Carol (Michael Vincent) Semersky, brother David (Susan Cramer) Semersky, nephews David C. (Kendra Dawson) Semersky, Jr. and Daniel J. (Shannon) Semersky, his canine nephew Riley, and many good friends. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, his sister-in-law Karen Semersky, and his pet German Shepherd Matilda. Friends will be received Saturday, February 9, 2019, from 4-7 p.m. at Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary Street, Perrysburg (419-874-3133) where a Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Frank’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, Karen Semersky Memorial Fund, or Cornell Lab of Ornithology.