July 20, 1936-July 6, 2024
Anthony Frankovich Jr., 87, born in Lowhill, Pennsylvania, passed away in St. George, Utah, on July 6, 2024, from congestive heart failure. The son of Croatian immigrants, his official birth name was Anton and also went by Tony and Anthony. His mother Marica Gracanin, who operated the family grocery and gas station, went by Mary and preceded him in death in 1990. His father Anton Franjkovic, a Pennsylvania coal miner, went by Tony and Anthony Frankovich and preceded him in death in 1972. Like many immigrants who came to the United States through Ellis Island, his parents’ names were modified upon entry in 1921 and 1911. This often led to funny conversations on what was his real name. Mystery solved; we think.
Tony was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years Martha Jean “Marti” Lyman (2022), brother Jonathan (2005), sister Anna Gallagher (1998) and sister Mary (-). He is survived by children Bruce (Sharon), Shannon, Mary, Mat (Mecell), Anthony III (Connie) and Kim, and grandchildren Dana, Daniel, Victoria, Anton, Anthony IV, great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Aria, Lily, Grayson and Brexton, niece Mary Ann and great nephew Julian.
Private services, with military honors, will be held for Tony, an Air Force veteran, on July 20, his birthday, at Taylor Cemetery in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, with support from Skirpan Funeral Home in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and Spilsbury Mortuary in St. George, Utah. Marti will be interred with him. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tony’s name to the Disabled American Veterans www.dav.org or Feeding America give.feedingamerica.org.
Tony lived life on his terms and believed in winning, as evidenced by his personalized license plate “WIN,” a life-long Pittsburgh Steeler fan and his favorite song “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. He had many passions and dreams that he always approached diligently and with excellence: flying, boating on Lake Powell, photography, fly fishing in Colorado, Alaska and Lake Powell, travel, selling, daily hot tub soaks, and enjoying Slivovica despite Marti’s side-eye. Anything he set his mind to or had a dream of doing, he worked to achieve. He studied Latin and one of his favorite quotes was “Aut inveniam viam aut faciam” — “I shall either find a way or make one.” A special thank you to Elvina, his and Marti’s caregiver, Lilly his longtime barber, Enhabit Hospice, IHC Pallative Care and Danville Support Services who helped care for Tony.
You can read more about their lives at https://www.forevermissed.com/tonyfrankovichjr/about, and https://www.forevermissed.com/marti-frankovich/about.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to click here to sign Anthony’s online guest book.