Frank Joseph Martincic
September 7, 2024 – 10:00am cst
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Frank (Joseph) Martincic Jr.
Frank was born in Sveta Trojica, Slovenia on March 15th, 1939, and died on August 15th, 2024 in Westmont, Illinois. He died peacefully in his sleep.
He leaves behind his son Paul and wife Christine (Roberts), grandchildren Sophia and Samuel, sisters Maria (Enzo) Sella and Elizabeth (James) Nickl, sisters-in-law Ann (Pecelin) Nowak, Frances (Pecelin) Wolfe, Yvonne (Pecelin) Billich, and Rasa (Rimas) Martincic as well as many nephews and their families.He is preceded in death by his wife of almost 59 years, Mara (Pecelin) Martincic, father Frank Martincic, mother Frances (Pirman) Martincic, brother Victor Martincic, and brothers-in-law Nicholas Pecelin, Robert Nowak, and Paul Wolfe.
Many who knew Frank as a young man would say that he was a fun guy who loved to drive fast. While it’s true that he had “a need for speed” well before Tom Cruise popularized the saying in “Top Gun”, he also had a serious side as well. He loved machinery and from an early age would tinker with things.
As a teenager, he mounted a motor to a bicycle and made his own motorbike. Eventually, he taught himself how to fix cars. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Tool Engineering in 1963. His youth and boldness unfortunately caused an immediate and permanent change in his life. While on his honeymoon in 1963, he and his new wife Mara were involved in a motorcycle accident in the Bahamas. She had a minor injury, but Frank suffered severe nerve damage after hitting a tree with his shoulder. He would no longer be in control of his own life and would have to rely on Mara to carry most of the burdens of living.
His interests waned as his abilities declined through the years. Walking unassisted through Chicago streets gave way to a walker in the house and eventually a wheelchair in a nursing home. Activity gave way to passiveness and a life in the outside world gave way to the inside world.
Through it all, he retained his humor and the enjoyment of seeing friends and family. Though unable to articulate his thoughts well, you could always see the joy and gleam in his eyes when seeing old friends, meeting new ones, or encountering a pretty woman.
Not all superheros wear a cape, some wear the best smiles… Frank’s will be remembered by all who’s hearts he touched with his smile.
Please join the family on Saturday, Sept 7th at
St. Mary’s Catholic Mission, 14246 Main St., Lemont, IL 60439
Visitation: Lying in state 9am until Mass at 10am.
After the service, there will be a procession to Mount. Auburn Cemetery 4101 S. Oak Park Ave. Stickney, IL 60402 for the burial, followed by a luncheon back in Lemont at the Slovenian Cultural Center.
In lieu of Flowers: Memorials may be given to St Mary’s Slovenian Catholic Mission or Slovenian Cultural Center, www.Slovenian-Center.org
Arrangements entrusted to Debbie Zefran Jerry funeral director and friend.
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