Frank J. Stein's Obituary
Frank J. Stein (February 10, 1926 to August 25, 2024)
He served his country in the Navy during World War II. Upon returning home, he used his savings to make a down payment on a house for his dear mother. With the skills he learned in the Navy and at West Tech High School, he worked in the automotive industry and provided for his family. A child of the depression whose father died when he was young, he never complained about how hard life was, he just got on with it and made a good life for his family.
Through the good times and the lean times, he was able to raise children who could be the best they could be. Though having only a high school education, he valued learning and had many interests throughout his life. He was a fine photographer and made a darkroom in a corner of the basement to hone his skills. Although his children might remember complaining a bit when he had them posing too long looking towards the sun, years later when they received a birthday card from him it often included a treasured photo memory from days past. And also, he would take the time to write letters, handwritten in his impeccable distinctive style. One could marvel how this man with a somewhat difficult and limited start in life, could have so many interests and self taught skills.
He had a great appreciation for his surroundings. He maintained wonderful gardens at all of his homes. Borders of flowers from springtime to autumn. Always space for a bird feeder that he would keep stocked with seeds so we could all watch the cardinals and blue jays come to feast. And then later when he had the space, every year he planted vegetable gardens. Generously offering to all of his neighbors all sorts of things that he had grown himself. His tomatoes were exceptional.
Never a flash dresser himself, every Easter Sunday his children would have a new outfit to wear for church. And he always got his girls a nice corsage. After Sunday mass, he would often return home with a box of pastries for Sunday brunch. And then the hi-fi would go on with his favorite music and he’d be clicking his fingers to the beat. A cup of tea and some cookies to go with it in the evening and he was fully satisfied. Not to be forgotten, his love of ice cream was legendary. Everyone remembers the large freezer he kept stocked with dixie cups and cartons of many flavors.
And Christmas was always a special time for his family. Between Christmas and New Years there would be visits to various aunts, uncles and cousins. Never straying too far from where he was born, he was content to live near family, only moving three times in 70 of his 98 years of life. Always a good neighbor, his home was open and gave shelter to extended family members when it was needed. In his younger years, he could be seen taking part in touch football with the neighborhood kids in the back yard. It can be said that he was a remarkable person who knew how to enjoy the simple things in life.
Blessed with a lifetime of robust health, in his twilight years Frank was grateful for the care he received and happy with the companionship of all those that he met and who enriched his final years at Vitalia North Olmsted where he passed away peacefully.
Frank J. Stein was preceded in death by his loyal wife, Gloria, dear brothers Edward and Johnny. He is survived by his dear sister, Barbara (A.J.), daughters Rae (Edward) and Susan, sons Gregory (Tara) and Jeffrey, grandson Keith (Kim) who he raised as one of his own and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be missed and remembered by many who are grateful for having known him.
Burial service will be held September 21, 2024, 10:00AM, Crown Hill Cemetery, 8592 Darrow Road, Twinsburg, Ohio.
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