Frank Paulos

TRAVERSE CITY — Frank Gus Paulos, 92, of Traverse City and Tequesta, Fla., passed away peacefully with his daughter at his side Friday, Aug. 12, at Munson Medical Center.Frank was born June 23, 1919, in Chicago, Ill., to the late Frank G. and Elizabeth (Pervanger) Poulos. (Frank later changed the spelling of his last name.) He married Eleanor (Parish) on Dec. 18, 1943. Together they raised two children.Frank grew up in Irish Cork Town, Detroit, graduating from Western High School. He spent many summers on his aunt's (ma) farm in Saline in his youth. Frank was a lifeguard for Interlochen Arts Camp in his 20s. It was this job that was the spark to move north. He then attended Michigan Agricultural College, where he was a member of the football team and ROTC. He left college and honorably served in the United States Army during World War II. When discharged, he returned to Michigan Agricultural College, where the president of the college granted completion of the soldiers' educations if they were within a certain number of credits from graduating. He always regretted not walking across the podium to receive his diploma. "Walking" in his late 80s at Michigan State University was in the works, but health issues kept this from happening.Frank also attended law school at the University of Michigan, but decided to work for the FBI instead, supporting his mother after his father passed away.Moving to St. Ignace in 1947, he had his first Chevrolet dealership. He then moved to Plainwell/Allegan, where he also had a Chevrolet dealership, but the goal was to move to Traverse City.Frank and Eleanor moved their family to Traverse City in November 1955, where he purchased, from Mac MacIntosh, the Oldsmobile and Cadillac dealership on the corner of State and Cass streets. He eventually sold the dealership to Chet Swanson in 1964. Frank then owned buildings in the area and started his own commercial land company.He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Economics Club and Tequesta Country Club. He was a former member of the Traverse City Golf and Country Club. Frank was very proud of his life-membership in the Elks Lodge.Frank loved his family, valued education, was an avid reader of factual books and enjoyed watching news programs to stay current in world events. He was a great conversationalist, loved Michigan State University and the Detroit Tigers. Frank, at age 80, was a certified instructor at the Cedar Rod and Gun Club.Surviving Frank are his children, James F. Paulos and Catherine (Bruce) Buchan; his grandchildren, Zachary and wife, Nicole, Halley and fiancé, Nate Brandsen, and Weston (Spike) Buchan; and also his beloved dog, Molly Sue.He was preceded in death by his parents and wife of 58 years, Eleanor.Funeral services will be held on Monday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m., with a visitation held from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The family would like to thank Munson Medical Center staff, especially Tina B., R.N., and the staff at Orchard Creek Skilled Nursing for their care. Dad, you will be missed. Our lives have been enriched because of you. Donations, if so inclined, may be directed to Cherryland Humane Society, 1750 Ahlberg Road, Traverse City, Michigan 49686.Please sign Frank's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Frank Paulos

August 12, 2011