Francis X. (Frank) Bleyer, Sr., of Smyrna, DE, passed away at home on Monday, June 21, 2021. He was 87.

He was born in Wilmington, DE on March 12, 1934, the son of the late Joseph Barranco, Santa Maria Bova.

He grew up in Marshallton and Delaware City where he met his first wife, Margaret (Peggy) Kirk.

He graduated from Delaware City High school in 1952 and attained an associate's degree in engineering.

Frank was a refinery construction manager for most of his career and he was passionate about his work. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting waterfowl, skeet shooting and spending time with his beloved family.  His nephew Mitchie was a favorite hunting companion and he especially enjoyed sharing his love of hunting and nature with his children and grandchildren. He self-identified as the "master of flora and fauna". Frank loved to laugh and to help others laugh with him.

Frank was a renowned dog trainer in his earlier years. His dogs were often field trail champions and he loved to tell people that he trained dogs for Mr. Roebuck (of Sears & Roebuck). He owned a champion Brittany (Brutus Maximus). He also found time to coach Francis and Tony in Little League and Babe Ruth baseball and was a favorite of the players on his teams.

Frank was a member of the St. Polycarp Church Knights of Columbus Brother Vincent Council 7517. He was baptized into the Catholic faith at his birth in St. Francis Hospital, Wilmington. He became active in his faith when he married his first wife, and practiced it for the remainder of his life.

Frank loved to tell a good story and was a master of the pun, a trait he passed on to his children and grandchildren.  Frank confronted many barriers in life, the first being the diagnosis of his wife Peggy with Huntingtons Disease. He was faced with trying to care for Peggy, raise five children and hold down a job.  He managed to do it all and still keep us laughing and feeling loved. He faced many more trials throughout his life and kept going through the deaths of his second wife, Dottie, five beloved children and two grandchildren. Frank was a survivor, a loving father and husband as well as a connector of people. He was a networker before networking was a thing. His ability to relate to people and use his business acumen and personal contacts to help was masterful. He loved to be a resource to solve life problems, work problems or whatever else his friends and family needed in any situation.  His faith in God and his belief in the ability for people to succeed if only they had the resources, was unshakable.

He is survived by his wife, Victoria Mayberrie-Bleyer; children Tony Bleyer (Jillsy), Theresa Hughes (David), Ronnie Thomson (Rick), Sallie Etienne (Tony), Debbie Bury (Matt), Patty Mayberrie, Donna Mayberrie, Nancy Mayberrie, Deborah Dickerson (Ken), Jimmy Mayberrie (Michelle); grandchildren, Megan Pearsall, Francis X. Bleyer, III, William Bleyer, Luke Thomson, Mark Thomson, Natalie Hughes, Jonas Carson, Stacey Carson, Ashely Butela, Evie Etienne, A.J. Etienne, Noah Bury, Olivia Bury, Graeme Mayberrie, Ava Mayberrie; great-grandchildren Jaylyn, Elijah, Julianna, Mia and Francis X. Bleyer IV; his siblings, Joe Barranco, Angelina Sevalggi, John Poncia, Louise Gurczenski, and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his spouses, Margaret Kirk Bleyer and Dorothy Lund Bleyer; children, Francis X. Bleyer, Jr. Mary Ellen McNair, Karen Butela, Elizabeth Mauro, and Susan Jones; and grandchildren, Harry McNair, IV and Alison Bleyer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 11:00 AM Saturday, June 26, 2021 at St. Polycarp Catholic Church, 55 Ransom Lane, Smyrna. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Columbiettes 7517 C/O St. Polycarp R.C. Church, 55 Ransom Lane, Smyrna, DE 19977

A special thank you to Frank's step-daughter, Debbie Dickerson and the team from Compassionate Care Hospice.

To sign the online guestbook, please click the tab marked "View and Sign Guestbook".

Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.