Frank Fertitta Jr.

FRANK FERTITTA JR. Frank J. Fertitta Jr., 70, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away Aug. 21, 2009, of complications from congestive heart failure. A 49-year resident of Las Vegas, he was the founder of Station Casinos, Inc. and forever changed Las Vegas and the gaming industry through the creation and development of the Las Vegas locals' casino market. However, it was his commitment to his faith, family and community that were his greatest accomplishments. Born Oct. 30, 1938, in Beaumont, Texas, to Frank J. and Deady Fertitta; Frank graduated from Kirwin High School in Galveston, Texas, in 1956. He married Victoria (Vicki) Broussard March 8, 1958. Frank and Vicki moved to Las Vegas in 1960, where he began his career in gaming as a bellman at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino while learning to be a dealer. Over the next 16 years he worked his way up from dealing cards to becoming the general manager of The Fremont Hotel/Casino. During that time he had the idea of creating a casino that would cater to the people who lived and worked in Las Vegas. That idea became a reality July 1, 1976, with the opening of "The Casino," a 5,000 square foot casino attached to the Mini-Price Motor Inn on Sahara Avenue. The Casino, later renamed the Bingo Palace and known today as Palace Station, instantly became a popular locals' hangout and the Las Vegas locals' market and Station Casinos were born. Frank always took great joy in helping others and after retiring from Station Casinos in 1993, when his sons took the company public, he became even more involved in community and philanthropic activities. He participated in and contributed to countless organizations dedicated to improving education and the quality of life in Southern Nevada. He was the President of the Bishop Gorman High School Development Corporation, an Emeritus Trustee of the Foundation Board of the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), and served on the Foundation Board of St. Jude's Ranch for Children. He was extremely committed to Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, and a major supporter of the Nevada Cancer Institute, Opportunity Village, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Nevada Ballet Theater and The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. He was also active in the Las Vegas Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, a member of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and was inducted into the Royal Order of the Gael at Bishop Gorman High School. Frank is survived by his wife, of 51 years, Victoria; daughter, Delise Sartini (Blake); sons, Frank Fertitta III (Jill) and Lorenzo (Teresa); and nine grandchildren, Blake Sartini II, Lorenzo Sartini, Sandra Sartini, Kelley-Ann Fertitta, Victoria Fertitta, Frank Fertitta IV, Lorenzo Fertitta Jr., Niccolo Fertitta and Angelia Fertitta. He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his brother, Joseph Fertitta and is survived by his sisters, Olivia Deppe and Linda McNeill Ramirez. A Rosary and Vigil will be held Friday, Aug. 28, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, Catholic Church at 7260 W. Sahara Ave. The funeral Mass will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, at 11 a.m. at the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer at 55 E. Reno Ave. The Rosary, Vigil and funeral Mass will be open to the public; however, the burial will be private. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either Bishop Gorman High School or Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada.