Frank Leonard Musial

Frank Leonard Musial, 88, died at his home in Ajo on February 17, 2019.
He was born July 19, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, to Michael & Rose (Walczak) Musial.
He attended Loyola College and served in the US Army, 8 years in the reserves.
His first marriage was to Barbara Musial, the mother of his son and daughter.
He married Lisalotte Kress on October 20, 1979, in Villa Park, Illinois, gaining two stepchildren.
Since 1989 he and his wife had been spending winters in Ajo and summers in Watersmeet, Michigan.
"Frank had a passion for music. He was a fantastic tenor singer and instrumental musician," remembers his family. "He regularly sang church solos and starred in many musical productions. He never had a music lesson, but by the age of 15 he had started two musical groups: a 5-piece dance music orchestra and a 5-piece polka band that played for Polish weddings and picnics in Chicago. They had "fun and to boot got paid!’ By age 16 he played principal 2nd Oboe with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra."
He continued his love of music throughout his life with the saxophone being his favorite. He sang and played in various combos for weddings, fundraisers, and special events until the 1980’s in the Chicago area, and then for 30 years in Ajo.
"Professionally, Frank started as a young entrepreneur," said his family. "He first opened a small café with assistance from his sisters, and next opened a popular store that featured Mexican/Spanish furniture and accessories. He later took classes at Loyola University and in 1958 he was awarded admission to practice in the Interstate Commerce Commission and enjoyed a successful career in transportation and logistics, retiring in 1987 as Executive Vice President of Consolidated Traffic in Chicago."
His family remembers him for his love of life, food, playing tennis, the desert and sunsets in Ajo, and the woods and his dump truck & bobcat in Watersmeet, Michigan.
He was preceded in death by his siblings and their spouses, Lil & Felix, Helen & Leonard, Karl & Harriet, and Benny & Eleanor.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa Musial of Ajo and Watersmeet, Michigan; by his son, Mark Musial of Louisville, Kentucky; his daughter Michelle Zuchnik of West Chicago, Illinois; by his stepson, Kent Eisenberg of San Jose, California; by his stepdaughter, Dara Pond of Berkeley, California; and by his five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The family is planning private services in Ajo and Chicago.
Obituary Courtesy of Ajo Copper News; Feb 26, 2019