Frank L. Smith
Frank was born September 15, 1963, in Wood Dale, Illinois to mom Kathleen (Prince) Smith and dad David Smith. He attended Fenton High School in Bensenville Illinois, later choosing to gain his GED in order to join Journeymen’s Training for Cabinet making and Carpentry. He would also dabble in other blue-collar work, from welding and electrical work to plumbing and painting. Frank took much pride in his work. Frank married his beloved Gina (Ruffolo) on October 20, 1990, in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Together they faced the trials, triumphs, and tribulations the years brought them, including raising kids, owning a home, and navigating life. Made from the ground up, Frank and Gina built a home-grown business that grew from a 1 car garage to a massive shop. It was named in honor of his wife and then 2 children, GVN Carpentry Services.
Frank loved his children. He gave them everything they could ever need and then some. He taught. Frank taught his kids many lessons, but the most important lesson he left with all of them was that family is everything.
Frank suffered from an indescribable love of Legos, old 90s cartoons, garlic stuffed olives, Italian food, and the number 7 from Portillo’s. An incredibly nostalgic man, frank would entertain his children with tales of his own childhood. Frank was a child at heart who had a love of learning. He spent a lot of time learning history and was always full of interesting facts. Frank also had a love of making focaccia bread. Coworkers from Gina’s work would often request that he make it for them.
Jokingly called ‘Cinderella’, animals would flock to him. Just sitting outside, hummingbirds would come close to him, stray cats would flock to his calm, warm, and loving demeanor. Ever the naughty pet parent, he spoiled his cats and dog, Gus.
Prior to settling in Oxford, the Smith family lived in McDonough Georgia, and prior to that lake in the hills, IL. Frank grew up in Bensenville and spoke fondly of spending time with his cousin Mike and friends. They would often ride through busy woods, creating little trails and making forts.
Frank was a skilled cabinet maker and was a member of the Carpenters Union 1027. With over 40 years of knowledge, Frank once went to Menards for lumber to complete the family deck and brought his then 4-year-old daughter for company. Frank ended up coming back home with lumber to make his children a swing set tree fort.
Frank enjoyed many things, family meals, barbecues, rock and roll, building things, using his hands to create, day dreaming, snacking, historical documentaries, scary stories, cartoons, pizza from White Cottage Pizza, his wife’s cooking, his daughters cooking, espresso, nature, Happy moments, and was deeply in love with and grateful for his beautiful wife and family. He was all heart.
Survivors include his wife: Gina; children: Victoria, Nicholas (Samantha), and Bryan; granddaughter: Evelyn; Mother Kathy and Father David: two brothers: Daniel (Christy), and Scott, and his nephew Cooper.
Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.