Frank W. Pozar, 83 years old passed away in Fresno, California on January 25^th, 2005

He was born September 29^th , 1921 in Chisolm, Minnesota to Johanna Cvar Pozar and John Pozar of Slovenia. He was a member of a large family with brothers and sisters; John, Louis, Mary, Jennie, Bina, Hank, Polly, Mirko-Stan, and Sophie. The family moved to Esmeralda, California in the mid 1920’s where they had a cattle ranch and then to Marina California in 1937.

Frank graduated Calaveras High School in 1937 and worked numerous jobs in his youth including ranch work, welding, and gold mining in the Sierra Nevada’s and after moving to the Monterey Peninsula in the fish canneries of Cannery row.

He served in the United States Army during World War II and was assigned as an MP on the island of Oahu.

After the war he worked in the mining business with his brothers and then in Construction for Graham Brothers Construction in the 1950’s. His work took him to the Fresno area where he became a co-owner of Fresno Paving Company. In 1959, he started his own business, Pacific Western Construction which specialized in Highway paving and construction. He served as Chairman of the Northern California Local of The Operating Engineers Joint Apprenticeship Committee from April 1970 to June of 1985 and was instrumental in starting a training facility at Rancho Murrieta.

Frank was a devout Catholic and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He attended Daily mass at Saint Anthony’s Church and was also affiliated with activities at other local churches and the Nazareth House.

He is survived by his Wife, Eleanor Pozar , daughter Leslyn Catlett, Grandsons Andrew and Evan Catlett of Reno Nevada, daughter Marsha Lewis and her husband Dennis, Granddaughters, Caitlin Russell and Julie Scarlett, great grandsons Matthew, Robert and Dakota, Son Timothy Milan Pozar and his wife Sue Olivier, Grandson Benjamin Olizar, Daughter KimMarie Pozar Gaye and her husband Carmie Gaye and grandson Kythe Robert Stillwell. He is also survived by his brother Mirko Stanley Pozar and his wife Vivan his sister in law Juanita Pozar and by many loving nieces and nephews.

Frank asked to be interred at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery with military honors. Dad loved the foothills surrounding the Valley and loved the seasonal changes of the area. The area is vibrant green with native grasses at this time of year and in a few weeks the hills will be painted with wildflowers. As the year progresses, the hills will be a golden color and the grasses will deepen their shades as the summer heat bakes the ground.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Frank Pozar’s name to either the Nazareth House, 2121 North 1^st Street, Fresno, CA 93703 or to the Priests Retirement Fund, 1550 North Fresno St., Fresno CA 93703 or to the Poverello House, PO Box 1222,5 Fresno CA 93777. Dad was involved in the fundraising for a retirement home for priests built on the grounds of the Nazareth House which is a retirement facility. Dad also was known for buying 10 gallons of ice cream at a time and delivering it to either the Nazareth house or to the Poverello homeless shelter in downtown Fresno.

We're contacting special friends and family with an invitation to participate in a special remembrance book for Frank W. Pozar.   An album [and display] are being compiled with photos and notes of stories, special times, and memories from many of those who were dear to him. 

Memory note: Archival paper that fits on the album pages will be available at the banquet. Just write (front side only, please) about a fond memory, thought, poem you have of a time you and Frank shared or special things about him. We've enclosed an idea sheet to offer some ideas to get you thinking.

If you can, please send a photo of you and Frank together. If you don't have one together, please send a photo of yourself to include on the page with your memory note. We'll also be happy to receive a Digital image via email or on disk.  Also include details: date, occasion, location, etc. If you don't have a photo, just your note will be most welcome.

Please return mail the note and photo at the banquet. If you are on the Internet, feel free to email me any stories, poems or memories.

Thank you in advance for your support.

What is your favorite memory of Frank?

Did you ever have a conversation with Frank that you always think of and treasure?

Did he say something funny that you'll never forget?

Was there a certain tradition on holidays that you will always remember?

Is there a poem you would like to give him?