Tributes

It is with heavy hearts that we announce Francis “Frank” Albert Sagorski, age 79, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away at Munson Hospital on July 30, 2025. Frank was born March 1, 1946, at home in Sand Lake, Michigan, to Stanley and Helen (Bober) Sagorski, the second youngest of 12 children. Frank grew up working on his family farm, which instilled in him a strong work ethic, respect for family, and a deep appreciation for the land. Frank attended a one-room schoolhouse as a child and graduated from Cedar Springs High School in 1964. He then enlisted in the U.S. Marines. A proud veteran, he served during the Vietnam War but returned afflicted by PTSD and the effects of Agent Orange, giving him difficulties for the rest of his life and a different point of view, which also brought challenges, but he faced each one with passion and resilience. His strong inner character and basic goodness kept him going and inspired those who knew him. After his military service, he attended Ferris State University, went into real estate, then founded Empire Environmental, a biological water treatment service, and Worms Juice, a garden composting business. Settling in Traverse City, Frank continued his innovative and creative pursuits. He had a solution to every problem and holds five patents for his inventions. He had an affinity for making life better for others and a generosity for sharing his harvest and the shirt off his back if a friend was in need. Every year, he tilled, dug, hoed, and managed two large gardens from seed to harvest with his wife, Cathie, and garden assistant, Josh. He imparted much knowledge about growing, harvesting, processing, and canning food. His jams were annual gifts to family and friends. This year, despite grazing deer and his failing heart, his harvest will again be bountiful. When harvest was over, he loved to go up north with his brothers and Cathie to St. Marys River near Sault Ste. Marie to fish for salmon and try for some luck at Bay Mills Casino in Brimley. Frank and Cathie were together for 30 years and spent winters panning for gold in Prescott Valley, Arizona, and fishing on the shores of Perdido Key, Florida, where he made lasting friendships. Cathie plans to return up north to where they had scattered Frank’s brothers’ ashes at the Mission Hill Cemetery Overlook at Whitefish Bay and scatter some of Frank’s ashes there too. Frank is survived by his devoted wife, Catherine (Smith Cairns) Sagorski, his stepchildren, Chrissine Cairns and Tim (Polly ) Cairns, grandson, Scotland Rios Cairns, brothers John (Barb), Jim, Stan (Pat), and Father Pete, sisters Mary Ann Dragoo and Marnie (Karl) Kiefer, sisters-in-law, Shirley, Barbara, and Kay Ray Sagorski, many beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who adored their Uncle Frank, and his assistant, Josh Michaels. Frank was preceded in death by his parents and by his brothers Don, Ed, and George, and his sister JoAnn, an infant sister, and his lifelong friend since childhood, Roger Starr. Cremation has taken place. Frank celebrated life as he lived it, so per his wishes, there will not be a formal memorial service. A fitting way to honor Frank would be to plant a tree, vegetable, or flower in his name or simply spend time with your loved ones, share a story about him, and of course, use one of his witty one-liners. Arrangements were made by Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home, our family serving yours.

Tributes

Francis Albert Sagorski

March 1, 1946 - July 30, 2025