Frank J Hirsch

Frank J. Hirsch, 80 of Rockford died unexpectedly on Monday, December 2, 2013 in his home. Born March 15, 1933 in Bloomington the son of Frank F. and Irene (Hauptman) Hirsch. Graduated in 1951 from Trinity High School and entered into the US Army as a Radio Operator serving in Germany from 1954-1957. After returning home he received his BS of Geology from St. Joseph's College in Indiana. Married his loving wife, Mary Ann Toohill, on November 15, 1958 in Wapella, IL at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Worked for many years at the Illinois Department of Transportation in Dixon and then at Testing Engineers, Inc. in Rockford as a Soils Engineer. Frank retired in 1998 but was always willing to go back and help out when needed. A faithful member of St. Rita Catholic Church, he was on the board for several renovation and expansion projects there. He was also an amateur radio operator, taught Morse code at Rock Valley College, loved to feed and watch the birds, and was always willing to help out his neighbors, expecting nothing in return. Frank was a good man who was kind, caring, and had a unique sense of humor. He was an unprofessed Irishman who will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife of over 50 years, Mary Ann of Rockford; children, Elizabeth "Betty" (Greg Peterson) Hirsch of Libertyville, James "Jim" (Michele Arms) Hirsch of Rockford, Diana (Dan) Rooney of Crystal Lake, Karen (Bob) Holst of Rockford, and Stephen "Steve" (Stacy) Hirsch of Rockford; grandchildren, Corey, Brianna and Emily Rose Hirsch, Patrick and Allison Rooney, Lisa (Aaron), Bobby (Ashley), Andrew (Angel), and Sean Holst; great grandchildren, Akalina, Nani, Alamea, Gabriella, Guiliana, Logan, and Jaxon; brother, John (Judy) Hirsch of Bloomington; sister, Wilma (George) Oswald of Seneca and numerous nieces, nephews and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his K9 companion and best friend, Clancy.
Funeral Mass Monday, December 9, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church. Interment in Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation Sunday, December 8, 2013 from 3-6 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with a Rosary service at 6 p.m. Visitation continues on Monday at church from 9 a.m. until time of prayer at 10:15 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family for a fund to be established with St. Anne's Center and Sienna on Brendenwood.