Francis Sierawski, Jr.
Francis John “Frank” Sierawski, Jr., affectionately and professionally known as “Frankie D”, blessed the lives of all who knew him right up to the moment of his death in the early morning hours of April 24. We were blessed with 64 years of this Michigan man who was born in Royal Oak, grew up in and around Lansing, and found a home within the Holt community for the past 40 years. He established Frankie D’s Auto & Truck Repair in 1983, and his hard work, honesty, and integrity are legendary. He was always grateful for the exceptional work and dedication of his loyal employees, many of whom worked with him for decades. He was also grateful for the thousands and thousands of faithful customers, many of whom became friends, who sent their children, and children’s children, to Frankie D’s.
“At Frankie D’s, we aim to please!” was his company motto, and it spoke simply and elegantly to Frank’s life. He was devoted to serving others and was one of those rare and blessed human beings that you could count on in good times, or hard times, and everything in between. He was a devoted (and fun) friend and several of his friends became brothers and honorary members of the Sierawski family. Much love and gratitude to Eric Benson, Scott Reed, Pete Sinadinos, Sparty Baryames, and Marius Polzache for their loving and regular presence in his life and in the life of our family.
The real pride and joy of Frank’s life were his three children: Amy Marie, Francis John III, and Nathan Ray. On April 6, he happily walked his beloved daughter down the aisle, and openly expressed great gratitude for her husband, Mitch Mulvenna, and his wonderful parents, Mark and Kim. He proudly assisted his namesake, Frankie, in setting up and running a business of his own and supported and encouraged Nathan in pursuing his education and career path. He loved each of them fiercely and they fiercely loved him back. He promised to continue to watch over them and guide them in all the days to come.
Jann Renee Lawrence was his loving partner in work and life for 17 years and their love and devotion to each other was in full bloom throughout the days of hospitalizations, treatments, tests, and appointments. She walked every difficult mile alongside him, tenderly cared for his every need, and was at his bedside at death. His load was lessened greatly by her love. Frank was a loving “Papa” to her grandchildren Ryan, Scarlett, Jesenia, and Myles.
Frank’s death comes just months after the death of our beloved brother Edward. Our hearts have been pummeled. Frank and Ed faced illness, suffering, and death with extraordinary faith and courage, and they have modeled for us what it looks like to face our own inevitable end one day with exceptional grace and dignity. They gifted us in richly in life – and in their final illness and death.
Frank was the fifth of 7 children born to Frank and Rose Sierawski. He was predeceased by his father Frank and brother Edward, and he is survived by his loving and devoted mother Rose, his partner Jann R. Lawrence, children Amy Marie (Mitch) Mulvenna, Francis J. (Maria) Sierawski III, Nathan Ray Sierawski, his brothers John (Leona) Smile, Joseph (Nancy) Sierawski, Stephen (Elisabeth) Sierawski, and sisters Susan (Edward) Sierawski, Mary Katherine Quasarano, and Rose (Joseph) Nienhaus, twenty-four heartbroken nieces and nephews, and twenty-three great nieces and nephews.
Our family offers heartfelt gratitude to those who offered tender mercies to Frank, his partner and children, and our family: the staff of the Herbert-Herman Cancer Center at Sparrow Hospital, Sparrow Hospice, Doreen Moore, Lisa Eustice, Father James Eisele, and the countless customers and friends who reached out to offer Frank and his family their love and support.
Frank’s family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel from 2:00 – 5:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2024, where a Rosary and brief prayer will begin at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael Catholic Church, 345 Edwards St., Grand Ledge, at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2024, where his family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall.
To view the livestream, please click on this link: Francis Sierawski Jr Funeral (youtube.com).
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alano Club East, 220 Howard St., Lansing, MI 48912, or to St. Michael’s Catholic Church, in memory of Francis Sierawski, Jr.
28 Messages to “Francis Sierawski, Jr.”
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Michael t. Serge/ aka daddy Diego .
April 24, 2024 at 5:31 pmFrankie D will always be remembered as a good man , Mr. Cool himself with a big heart , had some fun times in grand ledge at the boom boom room and the bowling alley . May you rest in peace Frank , say hello to my brother Pat when you see him in heaven.
Patrick Serge
April 24, 2024 at 6:13 pmI will always remember Frank’s sincerity which made you love him. He will always be remembered in my prayers. Love uncle Pat
Paula Hunter
April 24, 2024 at 6:52 pmI will truly miss my friend.
I met Frankie in the meetings. We became good friends over the years.
In times when I took my van to the shop for maintenance etc, he never rolled his eyes when I would try to explain what service I needed. Frankie was alway courteous, helpful, and a true friend to me and my husband, Bruce Sherrod.
Sharon Serge
April 24, 2024 at 7:37 pmWhat a beautiful person. Always had a smile for everyone. Found memories of you ,especially in Las Vegas. You will always be in my prayers. Rest well Frankie. Hug my son Pat for me and pray for all of us. Aunt Sharon.
John Drolett
April 24, 2024 at 8:18 pmI met Frank in 1984 when I had him repair a car. I have an affinity for used cars and I’m allergic to busted knuckles so I kept bothering him for decades. There is no one who could come close to his level of professional integrity or his ability to explain a mechanical problem at a level appropriate for an individual customer. It was clear he demanded that from his staff, too. A decent man has passed and my heart goes out to Jann and the rest of his family.
Teresa Serge
April 24, 2024 at 9:33 pmI wasn’t around my cousin much but I remember he was and always be a beautiful person. I remember I was living in Vegas and Frankie came out to visit and he took me to dinner. It was so nice because I never had the chance to visit with him. I truly believe family is everything and Frankie was a true family man. Rest peacefully and say hello to my brother Pat and other family members. Love you and god bless your family.
Vince Dragonetti
April 25, 2024 at 8:17 amMet Frankie when I 1st moved to Holt 24 years back for car repair. Got to know him better since then. Frankie was a man of integrity, honestly, just a great guy! I considered him a friend. A rough final few months for him. Rest in peace.
Supreem pearce
April 25, 2024 at 10:59 amI moved to holt shortly after my grandmother passed. And met his son my best friend Frankie me and him got into all sorts of adventures good and bad and Big frank always welcomed me into his home, took me n frank n friends on rides in cars I never thought I would never get to to ride in if I didn’t know him, he was a good man, and will be missed. Long live Big Frank….(bless me with your luck everytime I go to the casino)
Connie Tyler
April 25, 2024 at 2:42 pmFrankie D was a very honest and professional business person. He always treated his customers as family and not just a number. He was such a great asset to the Holt community. I am sure he will be missed by so many.
May you rest in peace.
Dave Hadley
April 25, 2024 at 4:21 pmThere are no words that can express my sorrow upon hearing of Franks passing. He was a lot of things to a lot of people, and we are all better for knowing him. Above all else he was a family man and what a great family he has. I will miss my friend.
Mark Geahan
April 25, 2024 at 4:22 pmPrayers to all the Sierawski family! I’m shocked. God be with you!
Bill & Shanna Mikolic
April 25, 2024 at 7:29 pmWith great love comes great grief. May God be with you, Jann and his family. So sorry for your loss
Sue Stock
April 25, 2024 at 8:17 pmFrank was a special man who connected with so many people. He was kind to everyone and such an honest businessman. I knew Frank through family and sent a friend to Frankie D’s for car repair…that friend had nothing but positive things to say about Frank and the work that was done on their car. Special thoughts to Amy, Frankie, and Nathan…hugs to all of you.
Peggy Andrews
April 25, 2024 at 9:24 pmThough I only met him a few times for service on a vehicle or advice , I was always incredibly impressed with his knowledge , superb customer service , and desire to actually listen and help with whatever the vehicle issue may have been. What a sad loss for the community and for his family. My sincere condolences
Julianna Baldino Ankney
April 26, 2024 at 12:56 amRest in God’s peace Frank. The Sierawski family is one of the best! Rose, my deepest condolences. My heart breaks for you. Sending all my love.
Julianna Baldino Ankney
Anne Marie Dionise
April 26, 2024 at 8:45 amMy deepest condolences to Rose, Frankie’s children, Jann, and the entire Sierawski family. Frankie was a wonderful person, who took honesty, and integrity to another level. My heart is broken the family during this great loss. I am confident that your deep faith will carry you through this difficult time. Please know of our continued prayers for Frankie and all of you. May the angels welcome him to paradise…
Carol Hubbard
April 26, 2024 at 9:14 am“Put your mind at ease with Frankie D’s”. That phrase from his commercials is what drove me first from Okemos, Marshall and now DeWitt to his business for repairs, oil changes etc. To Jann and the whole family may God Bless you and keep you always now and forever.
Mark Hilderbrandt
April 26, 2024 at 9:22 amSome of the fondest memories in my life were when I worked for Frank. He gave me my break when I was a young mechanic. The memories I had with Frank will be with me till the end. Going to the drag strip with Frank and others will be some of my most cherished memories. I still laugh when I think about Frank at the track. He would race the car and come back to the pits and take his helmet off and his biggest concerns was getting his hair combed. We all laughed at him, but we all loved him. You will be missed Frank. You were a very good man.
Jerome Winston
April 26, 2024 at 10:02 amJerome Winston
I was introduced to Frankie D’s automotive services by Kurt boegner, for the first time I met him with a smiling face. He was a true gentleman. There are a few automotive repair shop in this world and Frankie D’s is at the top of the list. I recommended him to all my friends and Family . he will be truly miss, God bless his family and their time of need.
Rick Royston
April 26, 2024 at 2:48 pmAs a local building inspector, I got to know Frank when he first came into Delhi Township with his goal of building an auto repair facility. My first impression was spot on…he was a good man. When the building was completed, I became one of those thousands of loyal customers for my cars, my kids cars and anything else I could send his way. The world was a better place with Frank a part of it. He will be missed by many. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Dianna Fleckenstein
April 27, 2024 at 2:42 pmOur hearts are heavy after hearing of Frank’s passing. He has become a dear friend and trusted business owner to our whole family. One cherished memory is when we had a short trip planned and both of our vehicles were with at his shop for repairs. He insisted that we take one of his vehicles for the weekend. He was such a generous, dedicated friend and business owner. From one generation to another, Frank and staff became our only choice in automotive care for over 30 years. More importantly, he and Jann became dear friends. We send our thoughts, prayers and love to Frank’s beloved Jann, his daughter, sons, mother, siblings, nieces and nephews. Frankie D your absence will be felt by so many. Rest in peace our dear friend. “The Fleckenstein Family”
Jeanette Campeau-Bowles
April 28, 2024 at 11:37 pmI got to know Frank when I took my Camaro’s to him for service. I was always so impressed with the way he did business with me and all of his customers. He treated everyone with respect and care, a true gentleman. His passing was such sad news, he will be missed by so many. Sending my condolences and prayers to Jann and Frank’s family.
Bless your hearts.
Dawn Entrican
April 29, 2024 at 9:08 amMy condolence’s to Frank’s family, Jann, and his Frankie D’s family. He was a kind, generous man. He always calmed me when taking my car in. Car repairs make me anxious. I am deeply sorry for your loss. I will miss his smile and his kindness.
Douglas Daigle
April 29, 2024 at 4:24 pmFrankie was one of a kind, always a Gentleman always a professional.
Tim Barron
April 30, 2024 at 3:14 pmHe was a great guy and a good neighbor. He helped me through a very difficult part of my life years ago, and I will always remember him for his kindness and more…..Adiios Frank
Robin & David Grein
May 2, 2024 at 3:22 pmEternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Thank you for the things you taught, your kindness & generosity, your love of life, and His love. Our hearts go out to Rose, his children, family, friends, and those whom suffer this loss. May God grant you peace and loving memories.
Marcy Smith
May 3, 2024 at 6:51 amSo sad to hear about Frankie D. He was such a kind person & will be missed. Sending love to all his family and friends.
Rest in Peace.
Marvin Helmker
May 3, 2024 at 10:03 amI have been taking our vehicles to Frankie D’s for a number of years. A few years back, I received a call from someone at the shop to let me know that they had accidentally overcharged me by $100 for a recent repair and that they would be returning the $100 to me. I thanked them for their honesty. The next time I was in the shop, I remember telling Frank that they could have easily kept the money and I would never have know about the error. Frank’s response to me was very simple and summed up how he ran his shop: “That’s not how we do business here.” Frank was indeed a man of honesty and integrity. My condolences to Jann and his family on your huge loss. May God’s peace be with each of you.