Frank L. Ramakis, 84, went to the Lord on January 16, 2011. Entertainer, singer, songwriter, poet, Brother in Jesus Christ, Frank was "The Real Deal in Hagerstown." Frank was born July 19, 1926 in Ashland, Pennsylvania to loving parents, Margaret Elizabeth and Frank Ramakis, Sr. Mother Margaret was the singing talent of the family. She spent a big part of her life singing in the home and in church. She was Frank's greatest inspiration to sing. Margaret gave Frank her gift of song. Frank Sr. was born in 1891. He emigrated from Russia as a coal miner. He served the United States during World War I in France with the 306th Division, field artillery unit. He became an American citizen. Frank Sr. died Nov. 1, 1929, when Frank was just three years old. Sister Anna was the oldest, followed by Mildred, brother Raymond, with Frank being the youngest child. Brother-in-law Ralph Edelman, 96, is Mildred's husband. Frank served in the U.S. Army from 1944-1945. He was stationed at Fort Wheeler in Georgia and Fort Dix, New Jersey and was in Company B, 17th Infantry Training Battalion. Frank L. traveled for 30 years around the USA, walking from town to town, taking buses or rides from strangers and friends, working as a cook, singing songs and entertaining everyone along his journey. For the past 34 years, Frank has made Hagerstown his home. Frank has many brothers and sisters in this western Maryland town. Frank is lifetime member #172, for 63 years, at the Geist-Berkanski American Legion Post 91 in Mt. Carmel, Pa. Frank is a lifetime member and served as chaplain at the Hagerstown Amvets Post 10 for 7 years. Frank was "the Real Deal." He was Hagerstown's treasure! Nobody was like Frank L! He sang without a microphone or musical instrument back up. He was a traveling one man band, loaded with 1, 000 songs, and that marvelous voice, those beautiful blue eyes, wonderful body, and he was always dressed sharply. His favorite song is "How Great Thou Art." Number 2 is "God Bless the U.S.A." Frank was a patriot and veteran. Frank was a singing sensation at the Hagerstown City Farmers Market, the Post Office, the Amvets and American Legion Posts, the J&M Grill, City Park Bandshell, and the Public Square. He especially liked singing to the children. He sang the 1926 tune "The Birth of the Blues," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Ain't Misbehavin'", "As Time Goes By," "April Showers," "Sunny Boy," "Toot Toot Tootsie Goodbye" and hundreds of others. His performances have inspired many people. He proudly sang at the Full Gospel Pentecostal Church in Martinsburg, W.Va. and sang with The Martin Family at the Miller's Mennonite Church near Leitersburg. Frank sang at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Martinsburg, West Virginia, entertaining patients and residents at the Western Maryland Hospital Center, Ravenwood, Julia Manor, Coffman Nursing Homes and many other locations in Hagerstown. He sang karaoke in Williamsport, Hagerstown, and Funkstown. Frank wrote a Christian song titled, "A Gift From Heaven/You must have been an Angel" in only seven minutes, three years ago. His Brother Barry Friedland put the music to it, and this song is copyrighted in the U.S. Library of Congress. Frank wrote one Father's Day poem in 7 minutes - he followed that with 3 other Father's Day poems over the next 4 years. Frank's longtime girlfriend, Mary Jane Gordon brought Frank to the Lord on December 19, 1990. In his own words, "Janie is the gal I loved." Frank also loved sister Helen Socks of Ravenwood Nursing Home. Frank left his brothers and sisters in Hagerstown to be with the Lord on January 16, 2011. These are his words to you, "May the good Lord bless and keep you, until we meet again. SHALOM." Brother Frank L. Ramakis Hagerstown, Maryland Rest In Peace, Frank