Frank Grabski

Frank Lawrence Grabski, age 71, passed in his sleep on December 16, 2017 from pancreatic cancer. Frank was born to Charlotte Corrine (Ziegler) and Frank Grabski in Washington D.C. on March 9, 1946. He grew up in Springfield, Illinois and attended Griffin High School, and then earned a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Missouri at Rolla. This was the background for Frank's career as a bridge engineer with the Federal Highway Administration, where he analyzed and inspected bridges and roads throughout the country. Early in his career, Frank married Linda Wood from Petaluma, California and they had a daughter Nicole followed by a son Eric. Frank moved his family from Illinois to Baton Rouge in 1987 to take the position of Division Bridge Engineer. He retired in 2001 with 35 years of service.
Frank loved sports: playing, coaching Eric, watching, and officiating. He was a die-hard Yankee fan from childhood, a Green Bay Packer fan, and of course an LSU fan and long-time season ticket holder with Linda. He ran the 1984 Chicago marathon in 3:33.13. In the second half of his life, his greatest passion was officiating basketball and baseball. He refereed high school basketball and umpired high school baseball for 39 years, including 30 years with LHSAA in Baton Rouge. He called 9 Louisiana high school baseball championship games, and umpired a number of LSU games. He was even cast in the movie Glory Road in 2004, as a referee in movie's championship game.

Frank was a practicing Catholic throughout his life, and even considered entering the seminary as a young adult. He was an active member of St Patrick's Catholic Church, serving as a lay minister, lector, and member of the Resurrection Choir. He was an officer in the Knights of Columbus service organization. Frank was a proud blood platelet donor. He donated 147 times over a 15 year period, which made him a top donor in Louisiana.

Preceding Frank in death were his daughter, Nicole; his parents; his brother, Stan; and sister-in-law, Sue. After the death of Nicole, he and Linda were leaders in The Compassionate Friends, a bereavement support group for families who have lost a child. Frank is survived by his wife of 48 years, Linda; his son, Eric; daughter-in-law, Lisa; 2-year-old grandson, Turk; sister, Ann Pisani (Lou); and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Visitation will resume on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 12424 Brogdon Ln, Baton Rouge, LA from 10:00 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am. Burial will immediately follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.

Special thanks to Dr. Militello and his staff and Hospice of Baton Rouge, especially Frank's home nurse Julie.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Hospice of Baton Rouge, www.hospicebr.org/give/donations.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.

Visitation

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
5:00 pm-7:00 pm

St. Patrick Catholic Church
12424 Brogdon Lane
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Thursday, December 21, 2017
10:00 am - 10:30 am

Service

St. Patrick Catholic Church
12424 Brogdon Lane
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Thursday, December 21, 2017
10:30 am

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816