Franklin Daniel "Frank" Coldsmith

Franklin Daniel “Frank” Coldsmith, 65, of Chambersburg, passed away the evening of July 24, 2026 at his home after a long history of kidney disease.

Born October 31, 1960, he was a son of the late John A. Sr. and Dora E. (Helm) Coldsmith of Shippensburg.

Frank graduated from Shippensburg Area Senior High School in 1978 before attending Shippensburg University. He then went on to study culinary arts alongside local chefs in Hagerstown, MD and Shepardstown, WV. Frank eventually graduated from Shepard College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Throughout his working years, Frank was a visual director and accessary buyer for Baer’s Quality Furniture and Interior Design in West Palm Beach, FL. He loved traveling, gardening, cooking, social entertaining, decorating, and interior design. Frank lived by his favorite quote, “To thine own self be true.”

Frank is survived by four siblings; John A. Coldsmith, Jr. and husband, Robert C. Anderson of Chambersburg, Debra E. Rouzer and husband, Russel of Shippensburg, Samuel L. Coldsmith of Hagerstown, and Paul R. Coldsmith and wife Tammy of Shippensburg, three nephews; Dustin R. Coldsmith of Cumberland, MD, Brandon L. Coldsmith of Williamsport, MD, and Jesse Coldsmith of Shippensburg; four grandnephews, two grandnieces, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In addition to his immediate family, Frank is survived by many of his dearest friends and family; Wendy Rossi, Charles “Chuck” Accurso, Ronnie Stavale, James “Jimmy” Pantages, Peter Larini, Bobbie Baer, Pat Dorfman, Big Al, John Bonitz, Lois Stanton, Rick and Eileen Heckman, Paula Heckman, Gerald and Willie Heckman, Barb Heckman, Charlie Heckman, and Judy Heckman.

In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his life partner of over 20 years, Lawrence “Larry” Shuster of Waynesboro.

Frank had dealt with a lifetime of kidney disease stemming from Alport’s Syndrome (ESKD) resulting in need for Hemodialysis followed by Kidney Transplant in 1984 at Hershey Medical Center (HMC). He lived 36 years with success, however, in 2000, he went into End Stage Kidney Failure (ESKD) due to COVID - 19 requiring Hemodialysis - Three times per week. Frank stayed vigilant & strong attempting to get on the Kidney Transplant List. In 2022, Frank moved back to Pennsylvania to live and become a “snowbird” with Florida. In 2023, Frank had Cardiac Bypass Surgery at HMC and recovered quite successfully. In late 2025, during the final steps for the workup at UPMC for Kidney Transplant, Frank received the news of having early-stage Pancreatic Cancer. This news ended the possibility of being on the Transplant List. The Surgeons at HMC recommended “The Whipple Procedure” of which Frank underwent in February 2026. Again, Frank recovered remarkability with a stint of Acute Rehabilitation at Penn State Rehab. In March 2026, we met with the HMC Cancer Institute reviewing the results of the surgery, scans, and blood results. A stint of Chemotherapy (WellSpan Oncology) followed by radiation was recommended. Frank began Chemotherapy in April 2026, while continuing with Hemodialysis. We share this because Frank had endured years of tremendous health & medical challenges resulting in pain, fear, anxiety, and depression but with an abundance of strength, courage, perseverance, love, and hope to live a longer-life.

Life can’t be counted in candles or measured in number of years, it is counted in small joys and good times, and laugh lines, as well as in heartaches and tears.

Life can’t be counted in candles, but in things done with effort and pride…with dreams followed boldly and hopes kept alive in times when we’ve failed…but tried.

Life can’t be counted in candles or measured in years that have flown by…It’s counted in kindness, close friends, and loved ones, and in all the sweet blessings we’ve known.

There will be no public viewing or services at this time. A celebration of life will be held later for family and friends in Chambersburg and West Palm Beach.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc.