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Michael and Cecilia Frakes
1942 - 2015
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Michael and Cecilia Frakes Obituary
Michael Donald Frakes was born on November 6, 1942 in Webster City, Iowa. On September 14, 1943, Cecilia Olivia Arriaga was born in Tucson, Arizona. Mike moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1954, where they met at St. Peter and Paul Elementary School. They dated thru grade school and high school, and on April 27, 1963, Mike and Cissy married in Tucson, where they had four boys. They moved to Phoenix in 1977 to raise their family. Mike was an integral part of the banking and title industries in Phoenix and Scottsdale; committed to St. Theresa Parish and the Brophy Community (twice being President of the Dads' Club); active in numerous Scottsdale organiza
tions and charities such as the Boys Club of Scottsdale, the Scottsdale Head Honchos, and the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce; as well as a champion of numerous golf tournaments at Arizona Country Club. Cissy dedicated her life to educating children. She considered it her ministry. She was an incredible mother of four, the neighborhood piano teacher, the parish and school music teacher, a principal of Catholic elementary schools, and the Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Phoenix. The couple treasured family and life to the fullest extent until a tragic car accident on May 31st, 2015. The accident resulted in Mike and Cissy passing away together. They are survived by their four sons and their wives-Tim and Liz, Tony and Cindy, Ken and Stacy, and Brian and Christie; their nine grandchildren-Tim Jr., Mark, A.J., Michael, Lily, Mack, Kennedy, Cooper and Charlie. They are also survived by Cissy's sister, Adriana "Babe" Higuera, and her family, Ron and Andrea; Mike's sisters' families-Pat Verwiel and Joe Verwiel and Kathy and Tom Neukom-and their children; and his late brother Bob's family, Anne Frakes and their children, Denise, Dianne and Duane. They were great parents and wonderfully loving grandparents. They touched many lives with their unconditional love, and their impact can be felt throughout many families. Most importantly, they are enduring examples of a committed marriage, not only to each other, but to their family and God. They will be dearly missed. The Visitation will take place from 5:00 - 6:00 PM with a Scripture Service at 6:00 PM on Friday, June 5th, 2015 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ. Their Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 6th, 2015 at 10:00 AM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in their memory to either Brophy College Preparatory' s Loyola Project (contact Brophy's Office of Faith and Justice at (602) 264-5291 ext. 6519, [email protected]) or The Catholic Community Foundation (www.ccfphx.org). Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.
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Memories and Condolences
for Michael and Cecilia Frakes
Fr. Fausto
May 28, 2021
Still think of you often and miss you always, my good friends.
Victoria Kaehler
June 18, 2015
My heartfelt condolences and prayers to all of the Frakes family! In reading The Catholic Sun this evening, is how I found out about your tragic loss of Cissy and Mike! My children, Allison and Jeff McCord, both went to St. Theresa grade school in the 80s, early 90s and Cissy taught my daughter to play the piano in her home. I have many fond memories of Cissy and am deeply saddened by your loss!
May God comfort your family and may Our heavenly Mother Mary wrap her mantle around you all!
Donna and Tom McCauley
June 18, 2015
Tim, Tony, Kenny and Brian, Our hearts are broken for your loss. Your parents have been friends since 1972. You were their life and they talked often of their love for you. You and your families are in our thoughts and prayers.
June 9, 2015
Sending condolences from Tuf Act to Follow hair salon. Cissy was a longtime customer. Her cheerful, loving presence will be missed and always remembered. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the wonderful family she always spoke of. Rest in paradise Cissy and Michael.
June 7, 2015
Sending our condolences, so saddened to hear of your loss.Sending our thoughts and prayers to you.
Ellie Sue & Karen
June 7, 2015
Deepest condolences to Cissy & Mike's siblings, their four sons and their families. I have known Cissy & Mike since high school where Cissy and I shared time as songleaders. I am grateful to have spent time with them at our 50-Yr Reunion four years ago. Prayers to all the family.
Valerie Haber Bridges
SHS 1961
Laila Innabi
June 6, 2015
My deepest condolences to the Frakes family. I don't know Mr. Frakes very well, but Cissy has always left a positive mark in my heart when she was a principal at OLPH. I was fond of her knowledge and really looked up to her, she gave me some great advice for my children and that will never ever be forgotten. I am deeply saddened, may they rip.
Rita Alarie
June 6, 2015
My deepest sympathy to Tim and Liz and the Frakes family. May the love of family and friends comfort you and strengthen you in the days ahead.
I am so very sorry for you loss.
Rita Alarie
Mary Roney
June 5, 2015
Frakes Family, please know you are in our hearts and prayers.
Mary Roney
pam
June 5, 2015
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Liz & Doug Collister
June 5, 2015
Out thoughts are prayers are with you.
Lucille Ponticelli
June 5, 2015
Cissy and Mike will be sorely missed. They were actively involved with family, friends, their community and the church and they did it all with heart. They gave of themselves to so many people in so many places. Vaya con Dios With Love
June 5, 2015
Cissy and Mike
My heart will forever be broken -Words seem so inadequate - only great sadness, tears and treasured memories. My love and prayers to all family- Elda
Tom and Rogene Covell
June 5, 2015
Prayers for strength for the families.
Mary Frances
June 5, 2015
Cissy and Mike's life of service has affected a wide circle of friends besides their family-a beautiful legacy.
My sympathy to all.
Cindy Johnson
June 4, 2015
My heart goes out to your entire family. I attended Salpointe with Cissy and Mike. Since then, we reconnected at reunions. They always remained constant - fun-loving, friendly, giving and totally engaged in life. May the legacy of their life and love comfort you and all of us whose lives they touched.
Frank Rauscher
June 4, 2015
Mike and I worked together in banking at Southern Arizona Bank as well as going to Salpointe with him and Cissy. Enjoyed them both. Prayers are with them
June 4, 2015
To the Frakes Sons, Daughters in Law, grandchildren and relatives at large.
My most sincere and deepest condolences at the passing of Cissy and Mike. I am still in shock and trying to process such a great loss to you as their family, to the Church for they were very committed and dedicated members of the faith and their parish, and the loss to us, their friends who loved them so much and will miss them terribly.
We worked together at OLPH-Glendale, and at the risk of sounding arrogant and vain; we: Fr. Joh, Deacon Charlie, Cissy, myself and our staffs, were the best team the parish ever had. We did great work and had lots of fun, and after we went our different ways, we remained the best of friends: such a gift.
I m so sad for your loss, not only loosing a mother and father, but a model and example of care, love and dedication.
I will miss them and miss their smile. I know, I know they are watching over all of you from heaven, may, in their kindness and generosity, watch over the rest of us who loved them so much and will always keep them in our hearts and minds.
Our prayers are with you and they are in my prayers and masses.
With God's Blessings
Fr. Fausto
Robert Sanders
June 4, 2015
Tony: I am so sorry for your loss. It has been 30 years since we last talked, but your outgoing personality & positive attitude were values many envyed. I am confidant that is a direct reflection of the strong morals & character you were raised with by your two wonderful & caring parents. I suddenly lost my best friend (who was my brother) 10 months ago & just recently began to understand "why". I was told by a wise man "In time there will come a moment when you choose to remember the great memories you shared with a lost loved one called to god and it will bring a smile to your face & start to dry the tears in your eyes". If you ever need an "ear" to listen or just chat, I am available. My most sincere prayers go out to you & your brothers as well as the rest of your family during this difficult time. Rob Sanders - [email protected]
June 4, 2015
Our prayers are with you all as they will be missed by all I have good memories. Love,Marcia Arriaga & family
Marcia R, Arriaga
June 3, 2015
This news and tragedy and loss evokes a memory so long ago when they were sweethearts........Xmas Eve at the Arriaga's.....midnight mass, menudo and a table top dance. Adrianna and Ron introduced us to the rich traditions of this family, surely carried on. Blessings all. Our hearts ache for you. Barbara and David Palmer
June 3, 2015
A shocking loss to our class of '61. I knew Cissy through 4 yrs of choir & songleading & renewed our stories with subsequent reunions. Albert knew both Cissy & Mike from 1st grade. They will be missed. Our deepest condolences to their large family. Albert & Jerrie (Jerden)Carreras
John Scola
June 3, 2015
May their souls rest in eternal Peace...
June 3, 2015
I'm so sorry to hear about this. Cissy was my first teaching partner at St. Thomas the Apostle.
Nick D'Arcangelo
John Clark
June 3, 2015
A tragic loss of a great couple. Have a safe journey and Rest in Peace my friends.
June 3, 2015
My condolences to Mike and Cissy's family for your loss. I knew both of them since grade school and then on to Salpointe. I'm glad I got to spend time with both of them at our 50th Reunion. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sheila Steele
SHS '61
June 3, 2015
Prayers for Mike, Cissy & their whole family. Glad to have seen them at recent class events. With deep sympathy,
Natalie Dunn Newton, Class of 1961, Salpointe
Patty DeJulia
June 3, 2015
Tony I just heard about your parents passing. I am so sorry. My heart is very heavy for you right now. It just seems no words can express my sorrow for you. I will be thinking of you and your family and be praying for you. So very sorry Tony. Blessings, Patty McDaniel (DeJulia)
June 3, 2015
Our deepest sympathy to the children and extended family of Mike and Cissey Frakes. Together forever.
Linda and Roger Freitag and Heidi Ackerley
Dominic Maietta
June 3, 2015
When I heard the news I instantly became 16 again. HHanging out at the house before games, completely interrupting (ruining) some poor kids piano lesson, the two hour naps on the couch, playing poker in the garage, mercilessly raiding your fridge and of course Christmas Eve. Now those were some celebrations. Ah, my kingdom for one more tamale! You guys were an important part of my life and I am so very thankful and grateful for you allowing me in and sharing all that you did. Thank you. You will always be in my heart.
-Dominic
Curt & Dodie Melton
June 3, 2015
So sorry to read about Mike & cecilia .Our prayers are with & for the entire family. My daughter Cecilia is named in part for Cissy & I worked with Mike in banking for many years
James Hilkemeyer
June 3, 2015
Mike and Cissy were married about six months ahead of us! Also knowing each other in grade school we were often comparing notes. As we also have 4 children, their spouses, and 10 g-kids, we are keeping all of you in our prayers. We feel we were fortunate to spend several hours with them at Homecoming a year ago. They were real people, good people!
Jim and Francie Hilkemeyer
Terri Rojas
June 3, 2015
Our Thoughts and prayers are with the family. Such a beautiful faithful couple. Cissy was our principle for several years and was always so loving and kind. A smile always on her face. She will always have a special place in our memory for the way she loved our youngest son so much. I chuckle when I think he said he was through with Kindergarten until Cissy found a way into his heart. Rest now with God!
Dan and Cindy Klingberg
June 3, 2015
Blessings and prayers to the Frakes and their beloved extended family members on the tragic loss of Mike and Cissy. We remember them fondly for their kindness.
June 3, 2015
Adriana and family. No matter how/when/at what age we lose a family member, it is always a shock. Truly sorry for your heartache and I hope your smiles return soon. Linn Paulsen '65.
June 3, 2015
MY FOUR DAUGHTERS AND I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER OUR SINCERE SYMPATHY AT THE LOSS OF YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER. "CISSY" WAS THE PRINCIPAL OF OLPH IN GLENDALE WHERE THEY ATTENDED SCHOOL. I ADMIRED AND RESPECTED HER COMMITTMENT AND LOVE OF ALL OUR CHILDREN. SHE WAS A STRONG WOMAN AND MADE THINGS HAPPEN FOR THE GOOD. THROUGH HER FAITH, LOVE AND VISION, SHE MADE POSITIVE CHANGES AND LASTING MEMORIES FOR MY CHILDREN. MAY YOU BOTH REST WITH THE ANGELS. SUE, CHELSEA, JAMIE, HEATHER AND JENNIFER MANGERIE.
Dave Comfort
June 3, 2015
Cissy and Mike-- Rest in peace.
Dave Comfort Class of '61
Salpointe Catholic High School
June 3, 2015
The Salpointe Catholic High School community extends deepest sympathy to Mike and Cissy's family and friends. You are in our prayers at this most difficult time.
Jan and Dave Wood
June 3, 2015
What a wonderful couple! We have enjoyed getting to know both of them over the last few years both here and up at our White Mountain home. So sad they are gone, but feel blessed to have known them. Our condolences.
Sister Ann Patrick Adams
June 3, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with you. During this very difficult time, may you feel God's loving arms about you.
I taught Tim at Casa Elizabeth Seton Kindergarten and remember Cissy as a very loving young mother. May both of you rest in peace.
Beth Olson
June 3, 2015
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Cissy and Mike. She was my first principal and mentor as a teacher. They were a loving couple who lived their faith through their service to Catholic schools. They will be missed.
June 2, 2015
My sincerest condolences to the family of this amazing couple who brought so much light and love to the people they met. Cissy was a fountain of knowledge in education and she was my source for nearly a decade. I fondly remember the amount of time she gave to every article, her research and her thoughtful answers. I will cherish her brilliant and infectious smile, but most of all her heart.
And nobody knows how to get Thanksgiving turkey donations quite like Mike does. Thank you for your gift of self and your coat!
You are loved, blessed and missed- sincerely, Gina Keating
Nanette Hubbell
June 2, 2015
There will be an empty chair at our St. Theresa roundtable luncheons just for you, Cissy. You will be missed. Much love for you and your family.
Sheila McIntyre
June 2, 2015
Our love and prayers are with the Frakes family.
The McIntyres
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