Frank Lawrence Russick's Obituary
Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, Frank L. Russick passed away Monday, October 15, 2007. His children gathered to celebrate his life, laugh, cry and sing songs at his bedside as he passed on. He joined his wife, Rose, who preceded him in death on September 7, 2005; his parents and God. Born Francis Lawrence Russick in Chicago, Illinois on March 3, 1925, Frank grew up in Chicago and Ottawa, Illinois. In Ottawa he met the love of his life, Rose Rauchwarter. But before he and Rose could get married, Frank answered the call to serve his country in the United States Navy in World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater as a signalman. He married Rose August 9, 1947. While they were raising their growing family, they lived in Chicago, IL; Gary, IN; Muskegon and Spring Lake, MI; Youngstown, OH; and San Clemente, CA, before returning to Muskegon. He died in Grand Rapids, MI. Frank and Rose had 11 children, 34 grandchildren and will have 11 great-grandchildren by January 2008. Frank got his start in business with F.W. Woolworth & Co., managing department stores for about 8 years before his entrepreneurial spirit got the best of him. He would never again be a traditional employee. Over the next 42 years he ran at least four different businesses. He started Russick’s Department Stores in Fruitport, MI in 1955. He eventually had three stores, before economic conditions led him to open the Dinner Bell Restaurant in Fruitport. He also worked in the insurance business. In all of his ventures, he brought his children along, teaching and training them to stand on their own two feet and to make their way in the world. In 1973 he and Rose bought a sleepy little place called Alex’s Restaurant in the beach town of San Clemente, CA. Alex’s Restaurant, Frank and Rose, and the Russick family would become institutions in Southern Orange County. For the next 25 years, locals, surfers, and Marines dined and laughed side by side at Alex’s. Many would come for the food, others for the family atmosphere, and some to sing along as Frank played the organ. Family was the most important part of Frank’s life and he is greatly missed by them: Cathy Giguere of Grand Rapids and sons Nic and Andrew; Larry Russick of Bridgeport, Connecticut, wife Helen, and children Patrick, Madeleine and Brian; Bernard Russick of California and children Joshua, Jennifer and Michael; Charlene Beckmann of Muskegon, husband David, and children Melaine, Colleen, and Ben; Gregory Russick of Muskegon, wife Penny and sons Aaron, Matthew and Zachary; Diane Russick of Muskegon and sons Eric, Alan, Gabe, Dorian and Rene; Annette Welsh of San Diego, husband Bill, and children Stephanie, Bill Jr., Jamie, Kevin and Tim; Major Christopher Russick (USAF, Retired) of Peoria, IL, wife Diana, and children Frankie and Joe; Phillip Russick of Discovery Bay, CA, wife Jeanne, and children Dane, Tori, Kayla and Chad; Andrew Russick of Elk Grove, CA, wife Kathy, and daughters Chloe and Jana; and Maureen Lee of Redondo Beach, CA, and sons Ryan and Tyler. Frank also has 11 great-grandchildren: Michael, Gavin, Cruz, Julian, Aiden, Charlee, Brennan, Jackson, Valen, Tegan, Evelyn, and two more on the way. Visitation will be held at The Walburn Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 1547 W. Sherman Blvd., Muskegon 49441(231) 759-8565 on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 from 6-9 P.M., and where a Rosary Service will be held at 8:00 P.M. Tuesday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 451 S. Getty St., Muskegon, on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Father Michael Olson presiding, and Military Rites under the Auspices of Muskegon County Council VFW. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mr. Russick to benefit Pine Rest Dementia Living Center. Share memories with the family at the funeral home’s online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com.
“Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is Love”. 1st Corinthians 13:13
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