John Gabriel Frankino, 83, passed away peacefully at home on September 28, 2016, with his loving wife, Aggie, by his side. John and Aggie Connors Frankino were married 61 amazing years.
John was born in Butte, Montana, on August 27, 1933, to Steve and Margaret Frankino. He excelled in academics and was an all-state athlete. He led Butte Central to its first State AA basketball championship in 1950, and coached its second title in 1956. He pitched his American Legion baseball team to a State title before attending St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California, on a basketball scholarship. He later played baseball for Butte McQueens who captured the Copper League Baseball championship.
He received his masters’ degree in mathematics from the University of Montana and taught math and coached basketball at Carroll College, Butte Central, Flathead High, and Capital High. John’s Carroll basketball teams garnered conference titles in the 1960’s, and John assisted on Capital High’s first AA basketball-title team in 1983. He was inducted into the Carroll College Athletic Hall of Fame as a coach, and the Butte Athletic Hall of Fame as an athlete and coach.
He worked in the management-science department of Mountain Bell in Denver, Colorado, before answering the call to return home to Montana. He accepted employment as the first Director of the Montana Catholic Conference and was the Director of Montana Social Services. He worked and lobbied on social justice issues and was a member of the Human Rights Commission. He believed in the adage, “If you want peace, work for justice.” He particularly enjoyed working with Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen, and Father Jim Provost. In his retirement years, John was the Director of the Montana Seniors’ Golf Association and entered the Montana Golf Hall of Fame.
He enjoyed reading, golfing, fishing, gardening, woodworking, and spending holidays and vacations with his family. In his retirement years, John and Aggie enjoyed traveling extensively together.
John is survived by his wife, Aggie; children, Janice (Stu) Doggett, Steve Frankino, Dan (Mindy Swan) Frankino, Kathi Frankino, and David Frankino; grandchildren, Michael (Jessica) Doggett, Anna (Jason) Richards, Jenna Frankino, Sara Jude (Justin) Morine, and Maggie Frankino; seven great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law Rosemarie Frankino, and Roberta Clowes.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Steve and Margaret Frankino; brother Steven Frankino; infant son John G. Frankino, Jr.; father and mother-in-law John and Margaret Connors; brothers and sisters-in-law Kay (Bill) Brennick; Eileen (Oakie) O’Connor, Dan (Sue) Connors; and Bill Connors.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing Street. A reception will follow the Mass in the Brondel Center of the Cathedral of St. Helena. Memorials in John’s name may be sent to a charity of your choice, or in support of the Carroll College Basketball team care of Coach Carson Cunnigham, 1601 N. Benton Ave., Helena MT 59625, Catholic Social Services, P.O. Box 907, Helena, MT 59624, or Helena Food Share, P.O. Box 943, Helena MT 59624.
As John would say, “Tap’er light.”
Tom Naegele says
Prayers of Support to the Frankino Family. John was a Gentle-man and will be missed by our community. God Bless his soul.
Teresa Graham says
I am so very sorry for your loss. I had so much respect for John when he was on the Human Rights Commission when I worked there. He was always such a caring, kind person. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Frankino family. May your many happy memories of all your happy years with John at the head of the table give you strength to help you endure.
Dan Larsen says
John was a super mentor during my 15 years of Course Rating while he was active in the Montana State Golf Association supporting Golfer needs for enjoying the sport. I have the utmost respect in all he accomplished throughout his life in making life more pleasant for all. John and I had a long history starting when we were kids playing in his parents back yard while our mothers played cards.
John will be missed. My prayers are with John and his family who are suffering his loss.
Mike Majors says
A privilege to have known John. A great example of class, integrity, honesty, success while still being extremely humble. If all of us could contibute as much to our families and our communities as John, we would have a better society. Prayers to the Frankino family.
Rosie Taffs says
He was the best math teacher I ever had. Rest in peace, Mr. Frankino.
Coleen and Jim Crowley says
John will be sorely missed. He was a great man and so enjoyable to talk to.
Love and prayers to Aggie, Janice and Stu, Steve, Dan and Mindy, Kathi and David, and children and grandchildren.
David and Lavina Coon says
John, Bud Kall, Tom Tucci, Dean Read and I enjoyed much golf, dinners and discussions together over my years in Montana. Along with our wives we could be assured of stimulating discussion, some agreement, many digs and much laughter. He will be greatly missed as his contributions were many and substantial. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Mike Meredith says
Aggie, my thoughts and prayers are with you. John will be missed by all who knew him. He was an excellent coach, teacher and friend. My son Scott especially liked working with John in athletics. Our entire family appreciated all that John did for our kids and all the kids in Helena.
Jack Casteel says
I shared many very pleasant times with John first playing basketball on the city league,then I coached t he freshman girls basketball team at Capital High two years under him.That was a really great time we had. After that we played many rounds of golf at Green Meadow in the mens league although he was a better player he always made it fun for me.Aggie, I am very sorry to see him go and my prayers are with you and your family
Carson Cunningham says
Coach Frankino is spoken highly of by people at Carroll College–his smarts, kindness, creativity, generosity. He was a generous supporter of Carroll men’s basketball, and we’re grateful for that. Thoughts and prayers from the Carroll basketball program go out to the Frankino family. May Coach rest in peace.
Corky Hull says
He was a great athlete, a wonderful warm person, great family man, super father, and a solid friend. He will be missed greatly but welcomed to heaven with open arms. Rest In Peace John.
Amely e Giovanni Vacchiero says
Ricordiamo con affetto il caro John . Resterà il bel ricordo dei momenti trascorsi insieme.
Porgiamo ad Aggie e a tutta la famiglia, le nostre sentite condoglianze.
Brenda (Gloege) Schnittgen says
I had the benefit of having this amazing man for a math teacher in High School. I was fortunate to run into him and visit for many, many years and while I was working at MT Eyecare. I always felt blessed. May he rest in peace and blessings for all of his loved ones.
Bobb allen says
What great conversations we had as I w as the courtesy driver at Placer motors. What a story teller he was. Although I wasn’t really a friend he treated me as one. I will have many fond memories of a great man.tap’er light John
Tim Racicot says
Some of my fondest memories of my time at Capital High School are of Mr. Frankino, from whom I took two classes. He exuded kindness at every turn and was a fabulous teacher. My condolences to the Frankino family on the passing of such a wonderful man.
Marty Heller says
Thank You Coach for offering me the opportunity to attend Carroll College so many years ago. I ( and I know that I speak for many others), remain indebted to this day for all the thoughtfulness and leadership that you extended to me as coach, mentor, and just someone to look up to as a model of how to do things right.
Thank you Aggie and Family for sharing him with us. He was a very special man!
Marc Racicot says
Aggie and Family,
I suspect it is unanimous among all who had the blessing and privilege of knowing and loving Coach Frankino that he was a most extraordinary man, husband, father, teacher and friend. He profoundly touched and positively influenced the lives of more than one generation of our family and did so with principle, strength and kindness. Please accept our deepest sympathy and our assurance that you will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Maria Brosnan says
I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying for all the Frankino family. May God grant you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Michael Doubek, M.D. says
To Aggie and family,
I want you to know you’re in my prayers, and please accept my most sincere condolences. Coach/professor/husband/dad/grandpa Frankino has left a legacy of strong values & love for ALL of us to cherish. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
Edward Hickey says
Ed Hickey, Anaconda Copperhead, Michigan Wolverine
John,
You were a super person and a great athlete, I always enjoyed competing against you.
The world need more people like John Frankino, Rest In Peace.
Don Pratt says
MY thoughts and prayers go out the Frankino family at this time. I have many memories of John from our bridge days.golfing,lobbying and good times together. He will be sorrily missed.
Colleen Jaccar Nykreim says
Love and prayers you Aggie, and your family. Please accept our deepest sympathy from the Jaccar family. Dear Aggie I still have my childhood memories when our family of nine children and and your family would get together. It was a “full” house! My dad, Mickey, sure loved and respected John. Now they will be able to have a few rounds of golf and toss a few pitches.
Pat Kelly says
I arrived at Carroll as a Junior. Coach made a special effort to welcome me
and offered any type of assistance and insight needed. His gesture has
never been forgotten and I will always remember him with sincere
admiration.
Ron Darcy says
I am sorry Agie to hear about Coach, growing up in Butte I had only 3 coaches that made a change in my life, my 8th grade coach, my coach at Butte High and then Coach Frankino, from the time I was at Central to him having me come to Carroll. He was a man to be admired, not only as a coach but a person who you know personally cared for you as a person. I loved the man, my one regret was not keeping in touch with him after graduating. He truly was the one person who exemplified the virtues of Carroll College. He made a ripple in life that spread to a lot of young people like me that created young men ready to face the world. His memory still lives in me after all these years.
Charles Peoples says
John was the best of team mates. My prayers are with you and your family.
Vanessa & Chuck Tolson says
Aggie & family
Our thoughts & prayers are with you all at this time. John was a one in a millon kind of gentleman.
We are unable to attend the service as V is having some surgery Wednesday morning.
Bill Lowney says
Aggie and family
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.
I have very happy memories of John, both as a coach and as a math teacher. He was a great coach. He instilled confidence in his players and even in his criticisms he communicated his faith that you could be better. I loved playing for him.
As a math teacher he was bright, but was able to explain the material thoroughly and clearly. I had him for several math classes and always felt fortunate that he was at Carroll during my time there.
He was a good man. i will miss him but always remember him fondly.
Charles Peoples says
John was the best of team mates. He will surely be missed. My prayers be with you and family.
Connie and Kelly Jerome says
Janice, Steve and the rest of the family, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your Father. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time. May your fond memories ease your sadness. God Bless, Kelly and Connie (Sands) Jerome
Ron Hanni says
I remember all the long conversations I had with John when I served with him on the senior golf board. He always had stories about his life and experiences in Butte. Most of them funny. He was an amazing leader and great friend. I will miss him very much.
Kryss kuntz says
Janice, Steve and family, so many fond memories of growing up next to you all. I am deeply sorry for your loss. Let all the good memories remain in your heart. God Bless you all in the tough days ahead! I will keep you close in prayer. Kelly is also thinking of you during this time. He thought the world of you Janice and all of the Frankinos! Hugs all around
Dolores Joseph says
Dear Aggie and family,
I can’t add much more to Dan’s comments (which I wrote the same day but didn’t ‘submit) except John was a loving husband, father, grandfather and wonderful friend. I am so glad we had those 2 dinners with both of you this summer. I will miss that big guy.
Stephanie (Bicknell) Fantini says
Coach will be missed! I have some great memories of playing ball for Coach Frankino and helping me become the player (and later coach) that I was and am. He was a coach that made an impact in my life in more ways than I can list here. Aggie thank you for letting Coach give us so much of his time. Coach gave us the dedication and the direction to reach our goals. God Bless you in this difficult time. My prayers are with the whole family.
Peter Hamper says
I just learned of John’s death. I had the pleasure of knowing him as a friend, mentor,and parent of sons who I coached. He was always so supportive. I last saw him a few years ago with Dan at Polson Golf Club. Same John smile on his face and so gracious. John nurtured his physical, mental, and spiritual well being. What a great soul to have in heaven to pray for intervention.
Dick Dish says
Aggie, just heard of John’s passing. Don’t know why didn’t hear sooner. But want you to know he was one of those people I will never forget. A elated symphony note to you and your family. Dick and Rita Fish