Photo: Krafft Family Collection
By Louise Krafft
Alexandria, VA – Frank Krafft, a native and lifelong resident of Alexandria, Virginia, and World War II Navy veteran, celebrated his 100th birthday on September 16, 2024. Frank and his wife Polly raised nine children in Alexandria, where they were deeply involved with Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and devoted to humanitarian efforts for underprivileged children worldwide.
In 1952, Frank took over his father’s business Krafft Murphy Company, a successful commercial wall and ceiling plastering business located in Alexandria, which operated until his retirement in 1999. Even after stepping back from business, Frank and Polly continued their international humanitarian fundraising work.
His work projects included the original Air and Space Museum including the MAX Theater, the National Academy of Science’s Auditorium, portions of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the US Capital dome restoration, renovations on the Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the Kennedy Center, Constitution Hall, National Cathedral, remodel of John and Jacqueline Kennedy’s Wexford Estate and many shopping malls in the DC area.
Frank’s son Bill Krafft and his company renovated the first section of the Pentagon that was hit on “911”.
Frank’s connection to Alexandria is a lifelong one. He attended St. Mary’s grade school. As a boy, he and his brother Joe became passionate about sailing. They built a Penguin and frequently raced on the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. Frank also became a Senior Oarsman at the Old Dominion Boat Club.
Frank built two family homes In Alexandria and lived very near two of his brothers. As the youngest of seven children he is the last one living. Two of his sisters lived to 103 and 104 and his brothers 94 and 96.
In 1969, Frank and Polly founded “Our Little Brothers and Sisters,” a fundraising organization that has been a vital source of support for Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH), a charity that aids underprivileged children which began in Mexico and expanded into 9 different Latin American and Caribbean countries over the years.
When he started fundraising for NPH, he connected with Fannon Printing, a local Alexandria company run by Jimmy and Mary Ellis Fannon. For many years, he used their printing services for his successful direct mail fundraising. And during this time one of the Mexican orphans, who was living with Frank and Polly, was successfully trained in the printing business.
Frank’s 100th birthday is a milestone that reflects not only a long and fulfilling life but also an enduring legacy of generosity and service to his family, his community and underprivileged children around the world.
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