More detail on this person: Frank Henry Gajar of Kill Devil Hills, NC died of a heart attack in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital on June 9, 2016. Born on June 22, 1940 to Czechoslovakian immigrants Henry and Elizabeth Havel Gajar. He grew up in the Bronx, New York City. His childhood included many hours in the New York City library, a religious and social life at Holy Trinity Slovak Lutheran church in Manhattan, time at Henry's Deli (the family's restaurant), and trips to Coney Island and Jones Beach. He graduated from the prestigious Bronx High School of Science, Cornell University (BA, Economics), and University of North Carolina (MBA, Finance). While at Cornell, he married his childhood sweetheart Anna Bician, and they had one daughter Stephanie Anne. He served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1967 as a helicopter pilot and artillery officer with tours of duty in Frankfort, West Germany and Vietnam. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain and received the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. His favorite sports were swimming and racket ball. Early hobbies included photography, flying airplanes (IFR rated), making tiffany lamps, and auto mechanics. Later interests included traveling, history, architecture, antiques, jewelry, anything Victorian or Art Nouveau, economics and financial markets. He worked at Norfolk & Western Railroad in Roanoke VA as a Financial Analyst from 1969 to 1976. His first family vacation to OBX was in 1969 in one of the first rental houses in Duck. With the experience of renovating N&W Hotel Roanoke's fine dining room, he bought the Port O' Call Restaurant in Kill Devil Hills in 1976 and with the help of his good friend Maitre D Ferdinand Phipps of Jamaica, he began his new life as a restauranteur which would last for 40 years. He always fixed and maintained his own restaurant equipment and HVAC, and designed an innovative quick food steaming apparatus. He was also the structural and interior designer of the restaurant's Gaslight Saloon which features an authentic old mahogany bar and hanging opera booth. He had several entrepreneurial ventures over the years including leather clothing importation, pools, computers, newspaper, cars, and real estate development. He supported and/or served in several local organizations including the Dare County Health Board, Dare Education Foundation, and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). He also donated funds for the building of a racquetball court at the Nags Head YMCA. He will be remembered for his support of education, intelligence, hard work, and humor. He is survived by his daughter Stephanie Gajar; brother John Gajar; and nephews Eric and Daniel Gajar. His presence at the Port O' Call will be missed by many dear friends and patrons. A public memorial service will be held in the fall at the Port O' Call Restaurant. In lieu of flowers, please bring your favorite story to share. Special thanks to the entire staff at Sentara's Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.twifordfh.com.
This information was last updated 02/08/2019
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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