Jay Frank

Service : Friday, June 27th at 2:30 pm
Service Location: Shalom Chapel Service
Shalom Memorial Funeral Home
1700 West Rand Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Interment:
Randhill Park Cemetery
1700 W. Rand Road
Arlington Heights

Shiva Information

Scott and Lauren Gottlieb Residence
824 Pinto Lane
Northbrook, Illinois 60062

Friday following the
service until 9 PM

Contributions
Makom Solel Lakeside
mymakom.org

Jay Frank, 79, beloved husband of Irene nee Mages for 30 years; loving father of David (Nan) Frank, Jason (Karri) Frank, Roger (Michelle) Frank, the late Rachel Frank, Arell Gold, and Scott (Lauren) Gottlieb; cherished Papa of 14 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild; dear brother of Roger Michael Frank.

Jay was a man who enjoyed many things. Most of all, he adored spending time with his family and close friends. He enjoyed the arts, and often seized opportunities to take his beloved Irene to see theater, opera, and ballet. Together they shared a beautiful life and traveled the United States on many adventures from Colorado, to Massachusetts, to Florida, to Iowa, to Missouri, and beyond—to see their children and grandchildren. Papa Jay made an effort to show interest in the lives of all of his grandchildren—taking them on trips, out to the movies or dinner, picking them up from school, attending their sporting events, graduations, birthdays, and many other celebrations. Recently they had traveled to Florida with excitement to meet their first great-grandchild.

Jay and Irene also explored many other countries and cultures together over the years, traveling to places such as Thailand, Israel, Greece, Italy, Romania, Netherlands, Poland, Germany, and Canada, among others. Jay enjoyed good food and excellent wine. Was he a bit of a wine snob? That’s a matter of opinion, but no one could ever claim that Jay didn’t have good taste. He believed good wine was best enjoyed with close friends and family. He was always generous and known to bring or buy wine at dinner to share with those he loved, perhaps a little because he always wanted to ensure it was palatable!

Jay was also a very adept poker player, and spent hours joking, laughing, and teaching some of his grandchildren the art of bluffing. They adored his tall-tales and stories when they were little, and his wisdom as they grew older. He enjoyed nature—including going for a stroll at the Morton Arboretum or Anderson Japanese Gardens with his Renie (Irene), or watching the birds over a cup of good coffee with his son and daughter-in-law.

He excelled at many things, and once remarked that his brain was his best part. It’s true. His body may have worn out, but Jay was a brilliant man who studied archeology, genealogy, Hebrew, and religion in his thirst of knowledge. He marched for Civil Rights alongside Martin Luther King, and was a believer in equality for all people. He supported many causes and volunteered his time for many years, alongside Irene, at a local soup kitchen serving and preparing meals for those in need.

Jay will be sorely missed by all those who knew his dedication and love, especially his greatest love and wife, Irene. He never missed a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or opportunity to send a card to those whom he loved so they would know he was thinking of them. His dedication was most evident by his actions—he always did his best to show up when invited to spend time with family, even when it was difficult. He drove with Irene across the country many times over just to see them. He was a man with a generous heart and loving spirit. While his loved ones acknowledge our great loss, we also celebrate the tremendous life of Papa Jay. We are all so very fortunate to have had him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Makom Solel Lakeside, mymakom.org. Chapel service, Friday 2:30 PM at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Interment Randhill Park Cemetery. For information, including a link to view the service, shiva or to leave condolences: Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, www.shalommemorial.org or (847) 255-3520.