Francis "Frank" Robert Crain

Francis Robert “Frank” Crain, age 74, died peacefully at Diamond Willow in Proctor, MN, on August 20, 2024, after a long illness with Lewy Body Dementia. Frank was born on February 20, 1950, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, MN, to John Robert and Marylou (Pokorney) Crain, the second of 11 children. 

He attended St. Clement’s School and Church in Duluth, where he was an altar boy until transitioning to St. John’s Preparatory School and then St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN, where he made numerous friends whom he held dear to his heart throughout his lifetime. Frank was very proud to be a “Johnnie” alum and was heartfelt in reminiscing about those days in recent years. During his prep years, Frank held the positions of Student Council president and National Honor Society treasurer. Despite being known as an erudite intellectual for most of his life, Frank had some reputable athletic accomplishments on the football and track fields, including lettering in both sports during prep school. 

After working on his generals at SJU, Frank studied Classics and Mandarin Chinese at the University of Chicago. After that, Frank stayed in Chicago and accepted a position with Tradewinds Tours, then became a New Yorker by transferring within the organization; he eventually completed this career in Los Angeles in 2005. Though he worked primarily in an office setting, Frank spent six months as a tour guide in Honolulu and treated his parents to a luxury trip of a lifetime as their tour guide. 

Frank lived in San Pedro and El Segundo, CA, and after meeting his best friend and life partner, Jon, enjoyed a new life balance. He was a lifelong learner and educator, both formally and informally. A frequent statement of curiosity in our family after a dabble in conversation with Frank was, “I wonder what Frank’s IQ is,” with an eye roll and smile. To no surprise, Frank went back to school in his 50s, attending California State University and achieving a BA in History and a Minor in Philosophy; he then obtained his California Teaching Credential and taught middle school in the Los Angeles Unified School District, where he was beloved by students and administration alike, and swiftly elevated his cultural awareness. 

One of Frank’s favored careers was with The International Seafarers Center of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where he used his multilingual skills to assist seafarers from around the world in connecting with their families, housing, and other basic needs while in port. Frank loved meeting new people and using his skills and knowledge, which paired well with his innate kindness and willingness to help others. He was a gentle spirit who put others at ease and a life guide to more than he knew. 

Not long after he lost his partner Jon in 2007, Frank traveled to the Philippines to lovingly hand deliver Jon’s remains to his homeland and family and, shortly after, returned to his own family in Duluth, living on Park Point. Frank enjoyed many summers relaxing and doing yard work at the family cabin, enjoying the outdoors as often as possible. He was an avid walker, typically traveling on foot, even if his destination was miles away. After his retirement, he continued to work and educate himself for intellectual stimulation and social connections, working for the census bureau and Coppola Art Imports and taking advantage of classes at UMD. 

Frank was preceded in death by his father, John R. Crain, partner Jon L. Peandon, and brother-in-law Michael Koralia. He is survived by his loving mother, Marylou (Pokorney) Crain of Duluth, MN; siblings Christine “Chrissy” (late Michael) Koralia of Duluth, MN; Cathleen (Thomas Sr.) Champaigne of Maple, WI; Coralie (Jon) Rice of Side Lake, MN; John Crain of Duluth, MN; Michael (Judy) Crain of Duluth, MN; Patrick (Barb) Crain of Duluth, MN; David (Mary) Crain of Duluth, MN; Joseph (Sheila) Crain of Milaca, MN; Marcie Crain of Proctor, MN; (Kevin Kuno of Proctor, MN); Jennifer (Lowell) Harnell of Proctor, MN; his beloved 25 nieces and nephews; 48 great nieces and nephews; and six great, great nieces and nephews; Aunts Barbara, “Bardie” Brown, and Patricia, “Pat” Diesen, and many domestic and international cousins he was so fond of visiting with at family gatherings and reunions. 

May the joy Frank brought family and friends always live in our hearts. 

Our family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the following who made significant contributions to extending Frank’s time here on earth because of their loving care and compassion: Dr. Harmony Tyner and Sherry Johnson, CNP, St. Luke’s Hospital; Michele Dalbec, Mn Dept of Health; Rainbow Health Support Group Members; Dr. Erin Grimsby, Miller Dwan Rehab; the fantastic team at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospice; Fr. Noel Stretton (ret.); and Fr. Anthony Craig of Holy Family Catholic Church for his compassionate visits with Frank over the last several months. A special appreciation is extended to St. Ann’s Residence staff in Duluth and the Resident Assistants at Diamond Willow, Proctor, for their care, especially in Frank’s final days. With loving gratitude, we thank our cousins Bob Dowson and Bob Brown for the beautiful prayer quilt to cover Frank with “love and the grace of God to usher him into heaven” and the gifts to make Frank’s funeral service memorable. 

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., Thursday, August 29, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Duluth, MN. Private interment will follow. 

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, MN.