Frank Martinetti

FRANK MARTINETTI

Born: Nov. 26, 1909, in Mark

Died: June 24, 2007; in Crystal Lake

He was a quiet pillar of the community who will be missed



CRYSTAL LAKE - Frank Martinetti, Crystal Lake, died Sunday, June 24, 2007, at his home of natural causes.

He was born Nov. 26, 1909, to Italian immigrants who settled in the coal-mining town of Mark. There he met and married Lucille in 1933.

Lucille owned her own grocery store and taught him merchandising as well as how to butcher a cow.

The Martinetti's started their career by moving to Rockford, where they opened "The Ideal Grocery." Shortly after the birth of their daughter, Carolyn in 1937, Frank, a natural entrepreneur, built "The Farmer Market," Rockford's first supermarket. It included such innovations as the state's first open-air produce coolers. His businesses grew and expanded into restaurants where knowledge of quality foodstuffs prevailed and made great dining an everyday experience.

The Martinetti's bought a property in Crystal Lake in 1946 on Route 14. It was a large frame building, housing a restaurant lounge, a 30-room hotel, and a personal residence for the family. In 1955 it was destroyed by a fire.

The Martinettis moved to Las Vegas for two years where they owned and operated the then-small city's only "health food" store.

In 1957 the family moved back to Crystal Lake, where on the same site, award-winning architects and designers created a new "Martinetti's." It housed a 500-seat restaurant, a lounge featuring a Theatre Pipe Organ, a 24-hour coffee shop and a 100-room motel.

Everyone entering Martinetti's restaurant was accustomed to being greeted by Lucille Martinetti, who always was at the front. From 1946 until retiring in 1976, he and Lucille were the most visible, highly respected, "hands-on" couple in the business. Known for innovative menus, outstanding quality and personal service, clients regularly came from Milwaukee and Chicago.

Always the innovator, he introduced many concepts that we take for granted today, such as the "all-you-can-eat" Friday Fish Fry, Wednesday Chicken and Sunday Buffets. He even introduced the "salad bar." Using nationally celebrated entertainment for both the opening and closing of the Crystal Lake landmark was another of his ideas.

Until the restaurant closed, sides of beef were hung in the kitchen cooler and every steak served was cut personally by Frank.

His most remarkable side was the one the public never saw. His kindness and generosity to family and charity might have been know, but also he financially supported those he knew in need. He never raised his voice to or was unkind to anyone, with employees loyal to him for 35 years. He was a quiet pillar of the community who will be missed.

Survivors include his daughter, Carolyn; and two grandchildren Aaron and Rachel Collins.

Private services already have been conducted.

For information, call Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home in Crystal Lake at (815) 459-1760.

Sign the guest book at www. NWHerald.com/obits