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Karissa Holpfer posted a condolence
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Franklin “Frankie” McGrath
Today, we are here to remember Franklin McGrath and to honor his 76 years of life. A life well lived.
My name is Karissa and I’ve had the pleasure of working with Frankie throughout the last 13 years.
Franklin or more lovingly known as “Frankie” by most first called St. Coletta home on September 24 1948. Living out the span of his entire life here, St. Coletta was truly home. Frankie’s mother passed away during childbirth. At that time, Frankie became an orphan where he resided in an orphanage in Milwaukee. At age four Frankie was dropped off at St. Coletta and that is where his journey began.
Being dropped off as a small child Frankie not only turned St. Coletta into his home he turned the people around him into his family. When I sat down to think about Frankie and who he was it was very obvious to me that Frankie’s love for people was strong. Spending 71 years living at St. Coletta Frankie has touched the lives of so many. From his strong belly laugh to his charming smile, he had no problem making friends. He was loyal and loved fiercely. Those of you who know Frankie on a more personal level know that back in the day wherever Frankie was Billy Mathisen was not too far behind. This includes the stumble back from Kemmeters after having one to many beers on a Saturday evening. Frankie was able to spend Billy’s final years with him while residing at Luchenbach together as they both aged. Supporting one another just as they had their entire lives. Billy was truly one of Frankie’s best friends.
In attempts to really capture Frankie I turned to his other best friend, Laurie Narad. Frankie adored Laurie but after talking with Laurie just the other day about their friendship it was clear to me that their paths crossed for a reason. Laurie or more lovingly known as “Glory” to Frankie uses words to describe Frankie such as loyal, hardworking, happy, and appreciative. Frankie and Laurie’s relationship was very unique. One of my very favorite memories of the two of them is on a nightly basis after Frankie finished dinner and his chores he would make his way down to Laurie’s apartment where he would spend time feeding and changing the litter for Laurie’s cat. This nightly chore of Frankie’s did not come without payment and Laurie’s payment to Frankie did not come in the form
of money. Instead she would spend time sitting with him at the kitchen table reading children’s books that Frankie checked out from the library. Frankie’s inability to read and Laurie’s inability to feed her cat didn’t matter in that moment.
Frankie could also be described as a very hard worker. Most times up before the sun, Frankie had things to do. He had commitments to fulfill and he people to see. I very vividly recall 13 years ago as a young 18-year-old college student coming into work at Assisi where Frankie would greet me at the door with a “It’s time to get the show on the road!” And he did just that. In his early day’s work included spending countless hours on the farm, the grounds department, and then affirmative industries. He was proud of the work he did and would tell anyone who listened about the countless sleepless nights that Billy and him would spend at the pig barn waiting for the mama pigs to have their babies.
Above all else Frankie’s love for his three wheeled tricycle was strong. From sun up to sun down any free time Frankie had he could be found riding his bike up and down the sidewalk along highway 18. Waving to passing cars with his belly hanging out of the bottom of his shirt as he worked on his sun tan. This was one simple example of Frankie’s independence and he couldn’t have been more proud of that shiny red bike. Frankie recently celebrated his 70th year at St. Coletta. Joe shared a story with me from the celebration. As Frankie prepared to have his name called to receive his award he leaned over to Joe and in his quietest Frankie voice exclaimed “I’ve been waiting for this my whole life!” A lifetime of hard work, dedication and love for St. Coletta was truly celebrated that afternoon.
Frankie’s sense of humor was next to no other and remained within him until his final days. As he began to slip away from the physical world Ashley Morgan, Joe, Brandy, and I paid him a visit. Very sick in the hospital bed barely able to lift his arms or articulate he took one look at Ashley and in the most loving way attempted to mutter “butterfingers” which he nicknamed Ashley several years ago. As Joe and Ashley sat next to Frankie holding both of his hands it was clear in his facial expressions and body language that having “home” brought to him at the hospital that night was the comfort he needed. Not long after that day Frankie was able to return to Luchenbach which had been home for the last several years. Going home to complete his final earthly journey.
As Frankie’s health started to decline his fight and love for life never wavered. Being in the hospital for over a month he fought until the very end. While thinking about St. Coletta without Frankie doesn’t seem possible I’m certain that Frankie left this world with great fulfillment of a life well lived.
I found a poem called When I’m Gone. In closing I would like to share it with all of you as it reminded me of Frankie.
When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile.
Forget the unkind words I have spoken;
Remember some good I have done,
Forget that I ever had a heartache
And remember I’ve had loads of fun.
Forget that I have stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way.
Remember I have fought
Some hard battles and won,
Ere the close of the day.
Then forget to griever for my going.
I would not leave you sad for a day,
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay
And come in the evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west,
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best.
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