Francis Albert Deregibus

Francis (Frank) Albert Deregibus passed away Monday, November 22nd at the age of 92. Born March 9, 1918 in Bridgeport, CT, Frank was the first son of Italian immigrants Edward and Mary Deregibus. Frank completed his pilot’s license while an undergraduate at New York University. His first job was as a flight instructor at Embry Riddle of Florida training Royal Air Force students. He next moved to Brady, TX during World War II and was hired as a civilian flight instructor of the Army Air Corps at Curtis Field. While in Brady, he met and married Frances McElhannon. Leaving Brady he was hired on with Pan American World Airways for 7 years, living in Miami, New Orleans, Bogata, Columbia, and New York City. Frank then moved to Colorado City, where he lived for 35 years and taught over 100 students to fly and had his own flight charter service. In his life, he logged over 20,000 flying hours. Frank was also a homebuilder and owned a car dealership while in Colorado City. In 1986, he and Frances moved to Santa Teresa, NM where he continued flying as a commercial pilot until he was 82. Frank was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved life and was blessed with many friends, and was an active member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. He is survived by Frances his wife of 67 years, his brother Cleo, daughter Dana Deemer and her husband Mark, son Dr. William E. Deregibus and his wife Melissa, six wonderful grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, three nephews, and one niece. Funeral Service will be held at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 5005 Love Rd at 10:00 am on Friday, November 26th. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Mark’s Congregational Care or the El Paso Cancer Society. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West.