Ernest FRAIJO

1925 - 2017

FRAIJO, Ernest

Ernest Fraijo was born 12.18.25 to Osvaldo (Walter) Fraijo and Virginia Duarte Fraijo in Sawtelle, California. He was the oldest of their four boys. His ancestors were original settlers of the city of Irwindale, California. He was preceded in death by both parents, and all his siblings. There were numerous half sisters and brothers, but he had a special and loving relationship with his brother Chuck (1926-1989) and his baby brother John Angelo (1932-1933).
As a child of the depression era he would help support his family by selling fruit and newspapers on the corner of Hollywood and Vine. With his big brown eyes and great smile, he was a favorite of the celebrity crowd. He was also a handful for his Mother. At age 14, he hitchhiked from Los Angeles across the Mojave Desert (280 miles), to visit his half-sister in Yuma. He had an adventurous and patriotic soul. He was a dreamer and some would say had prescient powers.
Ernest was not quite 15 years old when the attack on Pearl Harbor commenced. He signed up for the U.S. Navy and when they found out how young he was, he had to ask his mother to sign the waiver for him to enlist. He finally became a Naval recruit on 12.26.1942. This was the first of his life changing events. He headed to Farragut, Idaho for boot camp. From there he was deployed to the South Pacific and participated in Operation Iceberg at the Battle of Okinawa, and on board the USS Greer at the Battle for Iwo Jima. In September 1945, he was once again sent to Farragut, Idaho. And again - his life would be forever changed.
He met the Base Commander's secretary at the USO dance. She was such a beautiful country girl, with big blue eyes and she was a great dance partner. It didn't take either one of them very long to realize that they were forever soul mates and on November 30, 1945 he married Mary Margaret Wilson in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. They were then stationed at the Naval Base in the Seattle/Ballard area, when he was again deployed. Mary moved to Los Angeles to live with his family. Every time he came home on leave, there was another child for him to meet and one on the way before he left. East LA was a tough neighborhood to raise a family. In 1951, after three daughters, and with Ernest still in the U.S. Navy, they decided they wanted to go back to the clean air, lakes and trees of north Idaho. Mary packed up her little girls and headed back to Coeur d' Alene. Ernest served in the Korean War, and after nine years of service, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy. He moved home to be with his family of girls and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
He worked for Morrison Knudsen doing construction. In 1955 he was hired by Kaiser Aluminum - Trentwood. He retired from Kaiser in 1988. He was a voracious reader of the classics, westerns and military stories, and appreciated all genre of music, especially big band. He loved to visit with his friends, and was especially dedicated to his church. In 1995, after celebrating 50 years of love and commitment with Mary, the family lost her and he moved to the Spokane Valley. He remained sacristan at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Arden for more than 20 years. He lived a very independent life up until the very end.
He always had a wide circle of friends. Some knew him as Burt, and others knew him as Ernie. Daughters called him Dad. Grandkids called him Poppa, and great-grandkids called him the Grand PoohBah. He was loved by many and not loved by others. We are sure that he wore many titles over the years.
On Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at age 91, he was tired and his heart could beat no more. He was filled with love for his children and longing to fly into the arms of his Savior and his beloved Mary. He left the trappings of the physical earth and set his spirit free to join those that he had loved but lost. He was welcomed by Mary, his son-in-law, Lee Rogers, and those cherished grandchildren who had preceded him in death: Aimee Fraijo, Tricna Cloy, Cord Morse, Gracie Snider, and Dereck Miller.
He is survived by his five daughters: Jeanne Gerke (Spokane, WA), Leslie (Ivan) Miller (Colbert, WA), Laura Fraijo (Maricopa, AZ), Becky Rogers (Spangle, WA), and Christine Fraijo (Spokane, WA); He leaves behind ten grandchildren: Andy Miller, Frank Heidt, Gretchen Snider, Heidi Gerke, Kurt Gerke, Patrick Blaine (Spokane, WA), Jill Turner (Coeur d' Alene, ID), Scott Rogers (Post Falls, ID), Tony Low, Elston Cloy (Seattle, WA); Eleven great-grandchildren: Jacob Miller, Michael Miller, Kameron Gerke, Bentley Gerke, Kenny Heidt, Stephen Heidt, Morgan Snider, Maisy Snider, Mary Morse, Sydney Turner, Tricna Cox; and three great-great-grandchildren: Cayden Heidt, Ryan Heidt, and Chance Cox.
Ernest, as a member of the greatest generation, was a U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict. He was lifetime member of the Montebello Elks, VFW Post 1435, Knights of Columbus - Fourth Degree and he was privileged to be part of Spokane Honor Flight, May 2014. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Spokane Veterans Home, your local VFW, the Knights of Columbus, Honor Flight or the Mary M. Fraijo Scholarship Fund.
Rosary Service: April 7th, 6pm, St Joseph's Cemetery and Chapel, 17825 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99216. Memorial Service and Mass to be held Saturday, April 8th, 1pm, St Joseph's Cemetery and Chapel, 17825 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99216.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to: