Remembering Frank A. Sinon, 1928 Graduate of Austin High School, Austin, Pennsylvania

Frank A. Sinon. Photo provided by the Rhoads and Sinon Law Firm

Frank A. Sinon was born in 1911, the same year as the great Austin Dam Disaster.

Frank was raised in Austin, Potter County, Pennsylvania and was the son of John T. and Mae L. (Baldwin) Sinon.  He had two sisters, Josephine and Helen. His family lived on Bayless Row at what is now 175 Rukgaber (Rugaber) Street

The Austin Area School District is the smallest public school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

 He graduated from Austin High School in 1928, Penn State University in 1932, and Dickinson Law School in 1936.

Mr. Sinon would serve as the Deputy Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 1939 - 1943. He was described as "a distinguished young lawyer" at the time. The Governor was Arthur H. James.

Frank would propose to Governor James' daughter, Dorothy, at a Supreme Court dinner one evening during a period of time in which she was serving as First Lady of the Commonwealth.  They would be married on November 14, 1942, a marriage which would last 60 years.

Read Dorothy James Sinon's obituary on Legacy. com.

They would have a daughter Leslie Sinon Powell.

In 1943, Frank joined the U.S. Navy and practiced law as an attorney in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant prior to his discharge in 1946.

Upon his discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1946, Frank would partner with Paul Rhoads to form what remains today one of the most prestigious law firms in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Rhoads and Sinon LLP located in Harrisburg, PA.

Among the many accomplishments during his career, Frank is credited with initiating the firm's state corporate tax practice and making substantial contributions to the municipal and corporate practices.

Frank A. Sinon creates scholarship to Penn State University for Austin High School Graduates.

In May 1996, Mr. Sinon would establish an $8,500 annual scholarship at Penn State University Park Campus for graduates of  Austin High School, Austin, Pennsylvania.

Frank passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2003.

Read the Frank A. Sinon obituary published by the Potter-Leader Enterprise

This photo is believed to be the 1928 Austin High School Senior Class picture of Frank A. Sinon