Frank Gebrowsky

Frank Joseph Gebrowsky was an incredible man who loved to laugh. He was endlessly devoted to his family and always made sure that everyone was having a good time. As a husband, father, and grandfather, Frank spent each of his days showing his family how much he cared through the actions he took and the love he shared with them. The 1940s were dominated by World War II, pulling America out of the Great Depression with war production. The United States would become a super power and racial segregation in the military was finally eliminated. Big changes were in store for the Gebrowsky family, as well, as Constantine and Katherine (Butorac) awaited the birth of their third child. It was on the eleventh of October when the couple welcomed their new son into the family, a beautiful boy they named Frank. Frank was born in Pontiac, Michigan, and his father worked at Detroit Kettering while his mother took care of the children at home. He grew up with one older sibling Gerald two younger siblings Debbie and Daniel. The four children enjoyed a playful childhood, although Frank was known to be quite mischievous. His mother described him as a happy kid, but a devil! He and his brothers loved to play sports together, especially hockey and baseball. Frank was always laughing and finding new ways to have fun. Sadly, Frank's father died as a result of a massive heart attack in the fifties, while Frank was in high school. Despite this difficult time in his life, Frank pushed on and was able to overcome the loss of his father, graduating from Waterford Kettering High School in 1966. Frank had learned a lot from his father in the time they spent together, and was even showed similar character traits, including his father's stubbornness. Frank began to work for General Motors as a tool maker in Pontiac before transferring to the Detroit plant. Frank wasn't one to sit still, and he eventually made his way over to work at the Toledo plant, as well. He was devoted to his job, putting hard work and persistence at the forefront of his life. Having fun was an important part of Frank's life, as well, and he loved to bowl with his friends at the Muskegon Eagles Club. One particular evening, while participating in the bowling nationals, Frank met a lovely woman named Monica Webster, who he fell in love with immediately. It was truly love at first sight, and they were married just six months later, on the twentieth of October in 2001 in Muskegon at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. As a tribute to the place where the couple met, they held their reception at the Eagles Club, where they shared so many memories with their friends and family. The couple danced to "Let's Grow Old Together" at their wedding, which was a wonderful opening to their life together. Frank and Monica began a beautiful life, always making each other laugh and doing everything they could as a team. Monica had two children, Tonya and Coty, and Frank adored each of them. Tonya eventually gave birth to a son, Brennan, and Frank just loved being a grandfather, finding ways to spoil Brennan every chance he got. He and Monica also shared a love for animals, and considered their pets to be members of the family. They had Sarge, a German Shepherd and his best friend, Dutch, a white Bull Dog mix, along with Tissy, a Pomeranian Chihuahua mix. Their cats were Joshua and Toby, and each of their furry family members were greatly loved and well taken care of. Frank had a soft spot for all animals, and said that he would rescue every single one of them if he could. Every morning, Frank would take Sarge for a walk either to the beach or the woods, and was known to wrestle with the dogs in the living room. His compassion for animals made it easy to see how caring Frank was, always looking to satisfy the needs of others before his own. Many of Frank's mornings began with a hot cup of coffee and a game of Gin Rummy with Monica. Frank liked to enjoy every bit of his life, and loved to share every moment with his beloved wife. He and Monica enjoyed playing pool or cards, which Frank was especially competitive at. The couple also loved to go out to eat and drink at their favorite restaurants like the Sand Bar, BobHi and of course, the Eagles Club. As a fan of music, his favorite song was "Neon Moon," although Frank could enjoy almost any song he came across. Frank was also an avid golfer, and had just been on a golfing trip to Kentucky with friends. Many if not all of his golf outings were with John, his closest friend and partner in crime!!! As a huge fan of sports, Frank's favorite team was the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), and he loved to watch their games at his favorite bars with his friends. During games against Ohio, he would go out with his friends to his favorite Ohio bar, "Jugs" to enjoy the game. He was known to have a Miller High Life in his hand and to be breaking out in the U of M fight song at least once every hour. Frank wasn't shy about loving his team. Everything Frank did he did with passion. Frank was an incredibly warm-hearted man, and was willingly supportive of his wife when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. He was there to care for her and to be her solid rock, a person she could rely on and trust. Frank had the ability to turn difficult life situations into learning experiences, and was able to remain positive through any situation. Holidays were a favorite time of Frank's, when he got to go over to his sister, Deb's, house for family get-togethers and Prime Rib dinners, especially during Christmas. Frank loved to see his family and to share precious memories with them, while creating new memories in the process. Four years prior to his retirement, Frank lived in an apartment in Toledo to work and drove to Muskegon during weekends to see his family. Frank was loyal to General Motors, and had worked there for over thirty years when he retired from the Power Trane Plant. Sadly, Frank died on Monday, June 2, 2008, at age 59. The time he spent with us showed us how to laugh, how to have fun, and how to live each day to the best of our ability. Frank J. Gebrowsky was a good hearted man who would do anything to put a smile on the face of a loved one. He was always striving to do the best he could for the people around him. Whether he was caring for his family, caring for his pets, or simply enjoying time with his loved ones, Frank was always having fun. He will be deeply missed. Frank is survived by his wife, Monica Gebrowsky; stepson, Coty Maxwell; stepdaughter, Tonya Maxwell; grandson, Brennan, all of Muskegon; mother, Katherine Gebrowsky; brothers, Gerald Gebrowsky of Clarkston MI, Daniel Gebrowsky of Waterford MI; sister, Debbie Peterson of Milford MI; several nieces & nephews; mother-in-law, Patricia Jacobsen; close friend and brother-in-law, Gerald Jacobsen. Celebrate his life Saturday, June 7, 2008, 1:00 PM at Eagles, 668 Western Street, Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Noah Project, the No Kill Animal Shelter of Muskegon. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or to sign Frank's online guest b