Frank Richard Zajac Sr., 60, Decorated Marine Corps Veteran
Frank Richard Zajac, Sr. age 60, of Lorain, died Tuesday Feb. 10, 2009 at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation following a sudden illness.
Frank was born May 15, 1948 in Lorain and had been a life-long resident of the city.
Following high school, Mr. Zajac enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served two tours of duty in Viet Nam. He fulfilled duty assignments as a Sergeant attached to the 1371 Combat Engineers Brigade. He was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Service Defense Ribbon, the Viet Nam Service Medal with four Bronze Stars, the Republic of Viet Nam Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Viet Nam Campaign Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation with one Star, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Rifle Expert Badge.
After completion of his service, he worked for the United States Steel Corporation’s Lorain Cuyahoga Works, and then later as a machine operator for the Shalmet Corporation in Elyria.
In his spare time Frank enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was an avid fan of all Cleveland professional sports teams as well as the Ohio State Buckeyes. He also liked NASCAR and enjoyed following the career of Tony Stewart.
Survivors include his wife of twenty-six years Charlene (nee Balogh), sons Frank R. Zajac, Jr. and James Zajac, daughter Lynda (Nate) Yates, brothers Paul (Rose Mary) Zajac and Tim (Denise) Parks, sisters Linda (Efrain) Batista and Jenny (Terry) Freed, step-mother Alice Zajac, and granddaughters Caylin and Rylee Yates.
He was preceded in death by his father Peter Zajac and mother Susie “Jenny” Parks.
Frank was loved and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. Funeral services will be Monday at 11 a.m. in the funeral chapel with the Reverend Robert Daugherty presiding. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by the officers and members of Louis Paul Proy Chapter # 20 of the Disabled American Veterans.
To leave on-line condolences for the family please visit www.gluvna.net.