Albert Frank

Albert Frank passed away at his home in Concrete, in the loving arms of his family at 9:45 P.M. on December 15, 2007. He was 93 years old.
He was born on February 28, 1914 to Rafaela and Gaetano Francomano, at home, in the "Little Italy" section of Concrete. The town had been recently renamed "Concrete" to replace "Baker," because the Superior Portland Cement Company was the main employer in that bustling little community. Many of his relatives worked for that company. Not long after, his Father shortened the family name; it was not a legal issue, and not just for an easier pronunciation and spelling, but also to embrace this new country. His Father Gaetano came to this country via Ellis Island in 1907 and his wife, Rafaella, and daughter, Teresa followed later.
Albert attended Concrete Grade School and Concrete High School, where he was Student Body President, and played sports, most notably football, when leather pads and helmets were the norm. He was a tough little Italian. Short in stature, perhaps, but he made up for that in strength of mind and body. He graduated with the class of 1932. During his high school years, Albert met Harriette Larsen, a little girl from Van Horn, a town just three miles east of Concrete. She was the daughter of a Danish pioneer family. She left town after graduation to work, and became engaged to another young fellow. Well, to shorten the story, this enraged Albert. He went to get her and bring her back! She often tells the story of their "wedding" at the courthouse in Mount Vernon on August 7th, 1937. His Mother and sister came along as witnesses. Harriette says that "stereotypical Italian Mama" fixed her with that stern stare as if to say "You be good to my boy!!!" Harriette got the drift! And, moments after the "ceremony" they came home to Concrete, and Albert went to work for the rest of the day!! A honeymoon? Unheard of! There was work to do. And work, she did! Throughout her life, Harriette has been his "one-man cheering squad," and they worked side by side for 57 years.
Albert went to work in the woods after graduation. Logging or the Cement Plant were about the only options for a Concrete boy. In 1948, he purchased Van Horn Service, a little store and gas station in Van Horn. Two sons were born to them, Richard, and then Michael, two years later. He ran the store while Harriette had two little boys at home, just down the road from the store, where they have resided for all these years. Soon, the boys were old enough to go along, and she joined him at work in the store, "for just a while." Well, she is still working at age 91, but she doesn't go as early as she used to!! Albert and Harriette had a strict work ethic. The family rule was, and still is: If you are not in the hospital, or dead, you go to work!!" You could set your clock by his schedule. He did everything every day at the same time, the same day of the week, etc. He was a "clock-watcher" and collected clocks as well. He liked to repair them too.
In 1959, he built a new store west of Concrete, at the current location of Albert's Red Apple Market. Over the years the building was rebuilt and several times remodeled. It began as Serve-U, then Family Grocer, and is now a Red Apple Market. Albert was a long-time member of Associated Grocers.
He knew all the children in town, and took great delight in seeing them daily. Many of those same children were in the groups that walked down to the store from school to celebrate his 90th birthday. Albert was a member of the Concrete Eagles and the Concrete Fire Department. He was also a Fire Commissioner, and helped to organize Fire District 10, which is Grassmere and Birdsview Fire Departments. Somehow, in the early days, he actually took time off from the store to coach his son's Little League baseball team, with his nephew, Armond Bianchini. He also coached the town basketball team, the "Nighthawks," from1948-1951.
Dave Wright, an old friend, and employee, remembers being on that team, and also that they won the championship in 1948 and 1949. Albert loved his little town beyond reason, and was always supportive of community and school activities- anything for the kids! Albert loved his family unconditionally. He had always wanted a little girl, and when his granddaughters were born, he was ecstatic. Not that all those boys weren't welcome! He had four grandsons and they were all taller than he was by the time they were twelve! He helped raise them at the store, and wheeled them around in a grocery cart. They worked for him at the store during their school years, and learned the "hard work" ethic that became the family legacy early on. Sometimes, things didn't go just right in the city, and his girls would come home to tell "Papa." Even when they were grown, they would sit on his lap to tell him of the trouble, and he would say "Just move home. I will take care of you." And partly because of the family legacy, they all squared their shoulders and moved on, after his example, because that is what we do. He was so proud of their successes! He was a "softie" and they all knew it. It became tradition-he bought the first dance dress, for the girls, and for most of them, their first car! And college tuition help was not out of the realm. He was the most generous person to his family. Part Santa Claus, part "Daddy Warbucks," and he loved doing it!! He never needed anything for himself, and said often that the true measure of a man was what he earned for his family.
Albert earned his by sheer will, determination, and hard work-12 hour days, seven days a week. He has never had a vacation. It is not often that a family works together and all live on the same street! Mike came back to the store after he and Vicki were married 41 years ago. Richard retired from teaching in 1985 and he and Andrea joined them in the "Family Compound" on Moen Road. The "boys" took over the store, and allowed Albert and Harriette to come to work. Sometimes that wasn't the easiest thing to do, and not on anyone's part!! Albert left Albert's Red Apple on the night of September 27th, never to return. These last three months have been difficult for this family.
Albert wanted his life to end at home, and we honored that wish. Richard and Mike have been the most devoted of sons. Their tender care of their father has been wonderful to see. They have done it all for him, and gladly.
The family extends a heartfelt thank-you to the "Visiting Angels," especially Fritzi, P.J., and Barb, the "regulars." Also to Skagit Hospice, and everyone that visited, inquired and helped us through this time. We couldn't have done it without you. Albert is survived by his devoted wife of 70 years, Harriette; two sons, Richard and his wife Andrea, and Michael and his wife Vicki; six grandchildren, Richard D. Frank, Patrick Olsen, Dianne Aamot and her husband Doug, Michael W. Frank and his wife Kimberly, Danielle Frank and Joseph Albert Frank. He had seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Amelia and Teresa, brothers, Patrick and his beloved Adolph, and a much loved nephew, Armond Bianchini. How many times we have watched the nightly ritual:
The little man flips the light switches, goes to the outside door and watches all of the employees exit, locks the door and turns the "open" signs over-Albert's Red Apple is officially closed. Rest in Peace, Dad.
You've earned it.
Graveside Services will be held at the Forest Park Cemetery in Concrete on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 1:00 PM with Pastor Marcus Stroud of Shepherd of The Hills Lutheran Church officiating. A fellowship will follow at the C.C.D. Center in Concrete. Visitation is available at and services under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
Memorials are suggested to the Albert Frank Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Summit Bank in Concrete.
Share memories of Albert and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com