Frank English

1944 - 2022

Frank English
Onekama
February 2, 1944 - November 29, 2022
Franklin Dewey English of Onekama, Michigan, died unexpectedly on November 29, 2022.
Frank was born February 2, 1944, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.
His parents were Floy Alene Flood and Emerson English. He was raised by Floy and Cecil Tortorelli, the father who taught him to be a good man. His sister Shirley Dean and brother Marshall "Wally" completed the family.
Frank came from an entrepreneurial family and growing up he worked in his parents' businesses, including a grocery store, English Gardens nursery, and Shirley Deans Flowers. He attended St. Mary's Catholic School and later Wayne High School.
On September 17, 1970, Frank married Linda Migut. Their instant family began together with Frank's 7-year-old daughter Gina and grew with the arrival of Jessica (1972) and Mark (1973).
Frank's door was always open to family, which was very most important to him throughout his life. Both his nephews Warren Fuller and Steve English lived with Frank and Linda during their teen years, welcomed with the same love and support he offered his own children.
On the career front, Frank wove together a fascinating combination of interests and skills. After working beside his mother for more than a decade managing Shirley Deans Flowers in Inkster, Frank went on to manage a Bonanza Steakhouse in Benton Harbor for several years in the late 1970s, turning it into one of the chain's top producing restaurants.
In 1980, Frank and Linda launched the adventure of a lifetime when they bought a shuttered store attached to what would become their home in rural northern Michigan. On the outskirts of Onekama, the Chief country store became Unc's Place, offering groceries, fresh meats, pizza and subs, authentic Mexican foods, and gasoline. There he modeled caring and excellent customer service (yes to running "tabs" until payday or opening the store on Christmas day for a customer who needed more milk) as well as clear boundaries (no to calls at 2 a.m. for another keg of beer).
With their youngest off to college, Frank and Linda transformed the store into apartments in 1991 and Frank moved on to a career in real estate. He opened English and Associates Real Estate in Onekama and later worked until his death as an associate broker at Coldwell Banker in Manistee. Most recently, he was also enjoying a very part-time gig at the Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club, shuttling guests in a golf cart from the parking lot to the lodge and courses.
Along with his other interests, Frank also worked as a licensed charter boat captain. For more than 20 years, he fished Lake Michigan with clients aboard his boats Just Fishin' and Just Fishin' Too.
Frank was a natural leader and community servant, and he led many organizations. He served as president of the Onekama Lions Club, Portage Lake Association, Michigan Charter Boat Association, and Customs and Classics Car Club, as well as serving as a board member of Portage Lake Watershed Forever and the Portage Lake Harbor Commission.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years Linda English, his children Gina Reed (Scott), Jessica English (Keith Deblock), Mark English (Suzanne), and his nephews and niece Warren Fuller (Cathey), Steve English, and Sherry Wells (Allen). Nine grandchildren are mourning his loss along with grand-nieces and nephews and extended family member Tania.
Frank English touched many lives, always modeling commitment, efficiency, hard work, practicality, resiliency, and most of all a deep love for family. He taught us about engagement and service to the community, the importance of showing up, and caring for the land and the water. To honor his legacy, his family suggests that if you're going to do it, do it right.
A mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Onekama on Saturday, December 3, at 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon and celebration of life at the Onekama Lions Den Pavilion, Manistee County Fairgrounds, 7587 First Street, Onekama.
Memorial contributions can be directed to any of three organizations he loved: Portage Lake Harbor Commission (checks made payable to Onekama Township, note Harbor Commission, mail to 5435 Main Street P.O. Box 458, Onekama MI 49675), the Michigan Charter Boat Association Scholarship Fund (MCBA Scholarship Fund, 3396 Anna Drive, Bay City, MI 48706), or St. Joseph Catholic Church in Onekama.