Our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away in his Northwest Portland home with his family at his bed-side.

Frank was born in Northwest Portland where he lived his entire life except the period of his World War II military service. He was the third son of Mijo Lolich and Lucia Bartulic, immigrants from Split, Croatia. He attended St. Patrick Catholic Grade School and was a lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Parish.

An outstanding athlete, Frank was a four-year starter while attending Lincoln High School, leading scorer and twice Captain of Lincoln’s PIL championship hockey team – the first team to win the PIL championship four years in a row. He was the PIL leading scorer and led the PIL All Star Team in its win over the Seattle All Star Team. Frank was also a pitcher on Lincoln’s nationally ranked American Legion baseball team.

Frank served four years in the U.S. Army Air Corps based in Atlantic City, N.J., as an M.P. In addition to being all-star pitcher for the Army Air Corp, handsome young Corporal Lolich was also a noted wedding crasher. It was on one such evening that he met Francesca Frassone who would become his beautiful wife. She was the love of his life for the next 68 years. After the war they returned to Portland where Frank spent the next 35 years working for the U.S. Postal Service in the Northwest Portland branch.

One of the founders of Wallace Park Little league, Frank coached his sons through Little league and Babe Ruth and enjoyed watching them play baseball in high school, college and professionally. Years later he watched his grandsons play the sport he so loved. He will always be known as the gentle, kind coach who was the patient teacher who treatd every player equally. Family meant everything to him and any sport or activity his grandchildren and great-grandchildren participated in he always attended, even if it meant attending five or more events on a busy Saturday. While sports were a big part of his life he was most proud of the academic and professional achievements of his children and grandchildren.

Good food and beverage were a big part of Frank’s life and Croation heritage. He was very involved in the local Croatian community and carried on the old World traditions of wine making, roasting lambs and welcoming hospitality. Later in life, he enjoyed going out to the Lolich Bluebery Farm where he would pick blueberries for his neighbors and friends. He also enjoyed his trips to Croatia with his older brothers where he got to know his relatives in the “old country.” He looked forward to attending the monthly breakfast meetings of the Old Timers Baseball Association with lifelong friends. Frank was known for his humor, kindness and ability to get along with anyone. He considered everyone he met to be a friend. He was a kind and genuine person and his openness was embraced by hundreds of people who considered him their friend. He was a loving husband and father who provided us with an extraordinary role model in his work ethic, moral behavior and kindness.

Facts Born: January 30, 1921
Place of Birth: Portland, OR USA
Death: May 25, 2011
Place of Death: Portland, OR USA
Occupation: 35 years working for the United States Postal Service
Hobbies: Baseball, Coaching
Organizations: St. Patrick’s Parish, Founder of Wallace Park Little League, Old Timers Baseball Association