I am so sorry to be so late to this.  My father - Dale Christian - served with Frank on the USS Hammerhead.  My father spoke often of those times and always remembered Frank.  They reconnected late in life (2017 I believe) and my father passed away not long after.  It is sad to see men like this leave us but I always enjoyed knowing that trying circumstances brought men like my father and Frank together.

To Charlie and all of the Gaca family with my deepest condolences in the passing of your dad. Linda Maraldo 

Frank and Rita made it possible for me to have the life I have had. Though I wish the one conversation we had twenty years ago had gone differently, I understand. Rest in peace.

I wil will never forget coming from  posen mi to  see all my cousins  in DETROIT    with my mother  and fatherTHERESA and  Sylvester WASILK
our condolences to  the GACA  family. 

Our condolences to the gaca family.  Memories stay with us forever.  My favorite memory is the fourth of July family reunions at the cottage on Brendle lake.  Another great memory is visiting Uncle Frank  so he could show us his huge photo album collection of family.          Joe and Mary Paradowski

I remember fondly a day that Uncle Frank and Aunt Rita visited my Redford home because my parents were visiting from Tucson, Arizona.    My Dad had a bad cold and Uncle Frank instructed me to put on a big kettle of water to boil to moisten the air "so your Dad can breathe better."   He sat and laughed and talked; all the while with his arm around Aunt Rita.  I had recently divorced and their long term marriage and ongoing love for each other was awesome.  The absolute joy of being with family and just sitting having a simple lunch seemed enough for all of them.   I asked him what was the secret of their long term marriage and he smiled and said, "never argue; just never argue."   He was one of the nicest men I've ever had the pleasure to know.   My deepest sympathy to his children and all family members.  

From the Paradowski family, Uncle Frank will be very missed as we all remember him always smiling and telling jokes, along with sharing his home with all.  I know he is in heaven now with Aunt Rita.

I remember Uncle Frank and Aunt Rita getting me a mason jar so I could catch fireflies and then having BBQ hotdogs after swimming in the lake.  Sparklers on the 4th of July in their backyard was awesome.

Frank Gaca
Good guy, great guy, pal, mentor, friend! Frank could brighten your day with just a couple of words... his smile, his happy face would bring sunshine into any room! He would always have time to give me a little information, a bit of his wit and maybe a the latest news about his kids or grandkids. 
I first met Frank at the ripe old age of 13 when I hung with his boys Rob and Charlie. Frank and his sweet, sweet spouse, Rita, shared their yard with any ruffian in Brendel Heights who was looking to sit by their campfire, tell stories or engage in a rousing game of kick the can! There was always room for one more... one more kid, one more story, one more log on the fire. I spent many a summer night hanging in that yard! 
Frank was always willing to pitch in; whether it was a neighborhood project or a fish fry at our church! He was the ultimate people person and folks were naturally drawn to him. 
After we lost dear Mrs Gaca, I would often see him sitting a few rows back in St Pats with his pals Ray and Tony; they were dubbed the three musketeers or the three amigos!  Their pew  seemed to fill with a number of like-gents, their buddies their church mates. Frank never failed to clasp my hand on his way to receive communion...it was just how we rolled.  That Sunday coffee and doughnuts hour will be missing a true character! 
I always knew when Frank was at mass because his Jeep with his wwII plates would be parked in “his” space....I will miss seeing that Jeep. He was a bigger than life kind of guy...irreplaceable to say the least! The world was a better place because of Frank Gaca!

Have many fond memories of Uncle Frank.  Was sorry to hear of his passing.  I know he is happy now to be back with Aunt Rita and Barbara.  God bless your family.

Lots of memories came back to me after I got the call from Charlie yesterday. Starting with getting to know the whole clan back in the early '80s when I was rooming with Charlie, through the infamous "kiss rate" cards at when Pam and I got married. There were the houseboat trips to Kentucky. For those who haven't seen the video, just picture Frank with a boom box on his shoulder dancing (sort of :-) ) with the music playing. The opening weekend trips every April to Evergreen Resort at Red Bay, flying kites and square dancing. The time when Jerry lived in the house next door, we had a pig roast at his place, and there was this big discussion about how Frank wanted a fence for Christmas, and Jerry wanted a gate! This just shows the wonderful sense of humor Frank had and that sense of humor will live on in our memories. 
Since we moved south, we always tried (and often succeeded) in getting together around Christmas.  Always a highlight of our visits home. A proud veteran and just simply one of the best people I have ever known. God bless you, Frank.  

Charlie and Jerry,
I didn't know your father but I have heard  both of you speak very fondly of him. He must have been an amazing man to have his boys tell stories of him like he was not only their father but  their hero as well. Not everyone has that kind of father (I was fortunate to have that kind of father myself).
 I have known you guys for several years and I am sure he was very proud of you. I  would like both of you and the rest of the family to know that I am very sorry for your loss. He gave you so many great memories you will never be without him. The greatest gift anyone could ever give. That is a true father and hero.


My deepest sympathy to Charlie and all of the Gaca family and friends as you say goodbye to Mr. Gaca.   I will always remember him fondly as a kind and loving man.   God bless and keep him.    

Carl and I send our condolences to the entire Gaca family and especially to our friends, Gloria and Mike. We have many good memories of times spent at the lake with Frank. We enjoyed his stories, his sense of humor, and his company. He was a one-of-a-kind special man. Enjoyed sharing Polish food with him and going out on the boat. May he Rest In Peace. A life well lived, Frank.

  I met Frank and Rita when I was in my early 20's.  They treated me as a family member for over 45 years.  
Frank was the greatest man I met in my life. He was a kind and gentle soul who was always a joy to be with.  I shared a boat with him many times during Fly-in fishing trips.  We had many deep conversations that I will take to my grave. We shared squirrel camp every year.  One year I took my father to camp and found ought he and my Dad grew up close in the Detroit area.  I will miss him , everyone loved and respected Frank.  My Dad passed over 15 years ago , after that Frank told me 'Don't worry you still have me'.

RIP Frank , you will always be in my heart.


OBITUARY

Frank Gaca

February 10, 1924 – February 9, 2019

Elton Black & Son Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Past Services

Visitation

Knights of Columbus Rosary

In State

Funeral Mass

Burial