Obituary for Frank Bestic
FRANK PETER BESTIC
YOUNGSTOWN – Frank Peter Bestic, 94, of the city’s west side, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016.
Frank was born to Frank J. and Magdaline (Erdeljac) Bestic on March 31, 1922, in Pittsburgh, later moving to Campbell.
He graduated from Campbell Memorial High School in 1941.
Frank was a machinist at Youngstown Sheet and Tube for 42 years, retiring in the early 1980s.
Frank was a staff sergeant in World War II, where he earned five Bronze Campaign stars. He served in the European Theatre, and was honorably discharged in 1946.
He was a lifetime member of the DAV No. 2.
Frank and Virginia (Juvancic) Bestic, his wife of 68 years, were married on May 29, 1948, at St. Rose Church in Girard. They raised five children.
Frank was a charter member of St. Christine Parish and its Infant Jesus of Prague Guild.
Passionate about his Croation heritage, he was a 50-year member of the Croation Fraternal Union, as well as a member of the St. George Croation Lodge 66, the Croation Pensioners, the former American Croation Citizens Club, and the Friday Nighters Tamburitza group, where he played the E prim.
He was an ardent gardener and master kielbasa and wine maker, traditions he passed on to his children and grandchildren.
Left to enjoy beautiful memories of Frank are his wife, Virginia; three sons, Dr. Michael (Ellen) Bestic of Ponce Inlet, Fla., Dr. Richard (Susan) Bestic of Austintown, and Gregory (Karen) Bestic of Canfield; and two daughters, Mary Ann Canter of Dublin and Carol (Mike) Boening of Indianapolis. He leaves 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He also leaves a cousin, Mary Kocian of Pittsburgh; and a sister-in-law, Nettie Juvancic of McKinley Heights.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Joseph, Edward and Rudy Bestic; and his sister, Catherine Petretich.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016, at the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home on Canfield Road in Youngstown.
Services will start on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. at the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home and at 10 a.m. at St. Christine Parish in Youngstown, presided by Fr. John Keehner.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice, 3743 Boettler Oaks Drive, Suite E, Green, OH 44685, or to St. Christine Parish.