Frank Michael Kolich

ESCANABA — Northtown became a quieter place on April 4, 2023 at 5:25 a.m., when Frank Michael Kolich passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota following a brief illness.

Born on April 23, 1961, Frank was a true Northtowner coming from a family of ten and always joking that he graduated from “Ore Dock Tech”. His actual graduation was from Escanaba High School in 1979 where he once held the record for the 100-yard dash (ran in work boots). The teachers made him re-run it three times because they couldn’t believe his record time. After high school, he married Nancy Hansen and had three beautiful children Ashley, Whitney, and Frank.

In 1979, Frank began working at Independent Roofing & Siding Co. as an Architectural Metal Fabricator. He left his mark on numerous structures throughout the entire Upper Peninsula. He laid miles and miles of Cope Cap at Paper Mills from Sault Ste Marie to Marinette, Wisconsin. He also fabricated the copper tower at Baybank in Gladstone as well as various private residences and churches throughout Delta County.

Frank had a variety of hobbies and passions. He loved mechanics and restoring anything with a motor including an International Cub Cadet Lawn Tractor from the 1960s. He was super resourceful and could make something out of anything. His sister Sue would always joke that if the Apocalypse happened, Frank’s house would be the first place she would go. His pride and joy was his 1969 Chevelle SS that he loved to cruise around in during the summer. Fishing with his son, Frank, was a favorite pass time and on one of their fishing trips caught a 25 lb. King Salmon. Hunting was something he enjoyed with his family. He shot a 14-point buck with his father, the late Frank Kolich, and brother, Danny at their Stonington Camp as well as a 9-point buck he shot with his daughter, Whitney, at his sister’s home in Hyde. Frank also dabbled in pyrotechnics and built his own homemade cannon which was fired off at Round Lake multiple times. Frank would cruise around town daily in his beloved Buick aka The Prowler. Frank enjoyed his Saturday morning garage time with his late brother in-law Dick Menard after Salvage Day at the Paper Mill. He made a tremendous impact on everyone he met, had one of the greatest senses of humor one could have and was known for his smile. He loved joking and making others laugh with his sharp wit and funny stories like the “Mystery Pig”. Last, but not least, he loved spending time with his grandsons Hunter and Luka. Family was EVERYTHING to Frank.

Frank is survived by his children, Ashley (Vedran) Kaladic, Whitney Kolich, and Frank (Kylee Hanson) Kolich; his siblings, Marcia (Paul) Neumeier, Daniel (Debbie) Kolich, Esther Sue (Doug) LaLonde, Jeffrey (Trish) Kolich, Joseph (Dianna Seymour) Kolich, and Kimberly (Mike) Venne; his cousin, Nick (Tracy) Kolich whom he thought of as a younger brother; his grandsons, Hunter (Brooke Harris) Couillard and Luka Kaladic; his godson Michael Kolich, and numerous nieces and nephews. We would also like to mention his adopted son, Kyle Feathers, whom he spent many hours in the garage with.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Esther (Nyberg) Kolich; sister Sheila Menard; brother in-law Dick Menard; brother John Kolich; sister Joanne Kolich; and niece Annelise Menard.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Frank’s birthday at the Ore House Tavern (Stropich’s Bar) on April 23 from 1 until 6 p.m.