Francis P. "Frank" Kocon

Kocon, Francis P. (Frank)

Husband, Father, Grandfather & Great Grandfather

Frank was born September 16, 1923 in Minneapolis MN and went home to his Heavenly Father March 16, 2014. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years Patricia, son: Mike (Deedra), daughters: Kathy (Brian) Soar, Patti (Dan) Carlson and Julie (Cal) Struble, 10 grandchildren: Shannon, Tyler, Josh, Todd, Jake, Julia, Tami, Brianna, Mike & Tom, 8 great-grandchildren: Zoey, Sylvia, Kyleigh, Madelyn, Dylan, Gavin, Sydne and Jovi; sister: Veronica Fitzgerald, brothers: Stanley, Thaddeus, Raymond and Edward (Joanne), brothers-in-law: Al Hess and John Marinan, sister-in-law Mary Mertes. He is preceded in death by parents Michael and Julia and brothers: Walter, Victor, and Joseph.

Growing up in “Nordeast” Minneapolis he attended Holy Cross School prior to graduating from Edison High School in 1941. As a boy he played basketball at the “Nut House” and baseball at Bottineau Park. From age 7 he and his brothers worked summers at a truck farm from 7 in the morning until 7 in the evening. Frank was an altar boy until disciplined for “goofing off”, he then chose to no longer be an altar boy. He ran track and played football in high school. Being the oldest son at home upon his father’s death, he entered the work force and began his life-long career with the SOO Line Railroad. His SOO career was interrupted when he joined the Navy in 1943. His Navy career mirrored his SOO career as he served as a machinist’s mate in the submarine service stationed on the USS Raton in the Gilbert Islands, Pearl Harbor, the Philippines and Australia before his discharge in 1945.

Once he returned to the SOO Line, Frank worked as a machinist helper and apprentice prior to becoming a machinist in 1951. He played first base and centerfield on championship SOO Line softball teams and met the love of his life, Patricia Marinan, to whom he married June 10, 1950. Frank was promoted to Foreman in 1953 and worked as a Locomotive Foreman in Harvey and Enderlin North Dakota before finishing his career in Superior Wisconsin in 1961 until retiring on his 60 ^th birthday.

Before retiring, Frank bought the family cabin on Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake in Northern Minnesota from his father-in-law. He spent every Opening Day and his retirement summers fishing and working “at the cabin”. By carrying on the family tradition, his children and grandchildren have wonderful memories of fishing with Dad or Grampa. Some even have memories of being “fished” out of the lake a time or two.

Frank enjoyed being a Lay Minister for many years at St Francis Xavier Church, an avid league bowler, fisherman, pheasant hunter, and member of the American Legion.

Due to failing health, Frank and Pat moved to Liberty in 2007 to live with their daughter Julie and her family. Frank spent his last week celebrating life at home surrounded by his family and friends doing what he loved most until he was called to his heavenly home!

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM and will continue until the 11:00 AM Memorial Mass on Monday, May 19, 2014 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. James Tobolski as celebrant.

Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, Superior, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book, visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.