Paul
Robert
Fraga
August 13, 1927 - August 11, 2019
Paul Robert Fraga
Paul Robert Fraga Sr., 91, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, passed away on August 11, 2019.
He was born to parents Martina Herrejon Fraga and Valeriano (Anthony) Fraga, Mexican immigrants, share-croppers and farmers, on August 13, 1927 in Burnside Township, Lapeer County, Michigan.
Paul left school early and enlisted in the US Navy as a Seaman First Class at the end of World War 2. After serving honorably, he was discharged and became an apprentice electrician in Local 58 in 1949, following his brother John’s lead. On completion of his apprenticeship, Paul became a journeyman electrician in 1953, working his way up to Master Electrician and ultimately Electrical Superintendent over his 40 year career.
As a journeyman electrician, Paul served in a supervisory capacity for several years before joining John Miller Electric Co. in 1957. Working for John Miller, Paul supervised crews of up to 200 electricians on some of the major construction projects in the greater Detroit area including; the Fisher Theatre remodeling; the Lafayette Towers; the McNamara Federal Building; Chrysler’s Stamping and Engine Plants; the Ford Motor Chassis and Steel Mill Plants. He was job Electrical Superintendant for the Ford Motor Casting Plant which on completion was the largest casting plant in the world. Paul was Electrical Superintendant on the Marysville Consumers Power Co. Synthetic Natural Gas Plant in 1972, one of the largest gas reforming facilities in the world. One of his last jobs prior to retirement was working on the People Mover in downtown Detroit. A job that caused him untold frustration, but one in which he was extremely proud of being a part of, began operations in 1987.
After 40 years of service, Paul retired from John Miller in 1989 and for several years travelled across the country with his beloved spouse Eleanor, making it to 49 of the 50 states. After their travelling days were over, they settled in Lake Havasu City, AZ where they hosted visits from many family and friends.
Paul loved being active. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling and golf. Above all else, he loved and was devoted to his family. He was introduced to his future wife Eleanor Botos by his sister Margie around 1948. They were married in 1949 and started to build a family. In the 1950’s along with brother Joseph and brother in law Ambrose, Paul helped his parents realize the dream of owning their own farm, an 80 acre crop and dairy farm in Imlay City that was destined to be a family focal point for generations.
One of his proudest accomplishments was the building of their home in Bloomfield Hills, MI in 1956. Along with help from his family and friends in the construction business, he literally built this home with his own hands. In it, he and Eleanor would raise all five of their children: Camille M. (Robert) Von Dreele, Paul R. (Lenore) Fraga II, Daniel W. Fraga, Anthony K. (Julie) Fraga and Monique L. (Dave) Anthus.
A lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and Elks Club, Paul and Eleanor enjoyed going out dancing and partying with friends and family. With these groups they made several trip to Europe for vacation excursions.
Having grown up working on farms as his parents worked at shares, Paul always retained a fondness for farming and an appreciation for hard work and work well done. In the 1970’s he purchased a small fruit farm in Metamora, MI and would spend countless weekends teaching his children some of the lessons he learned working in a farming environment. This property would also serve at times as a gathering point for holiday celebrations for his extended family after his parents retired from farming. Later he would purchase a farm in Hawks, MI and likewise would spend many, many weekends working on the farm as well as hosting hunting and fishing outings for family and friends.
Paul is survived by his beloved brother Daniel E. (Helen) Fraga, sister in law Helen Fraga, sister and brother in law Dorothy and Stan Lazar. He was a proud and loving grandfather (Papa) to Kristen, Danielle, Camille, Michael (Jenna), Maria (Chris), Teresa, Paul R III (Rosie), Peter, Adrienne, Stephanie, Jeremy, Marc, Elizabeth, Jacqueline, and Sophia. A proud and loving great grandfather to Isabel, Lucy, Nolan, Gioia, Jude, Dorothy (deceased) and Anthony Alan. Paul was a beloved uncle to over 300 nieces and nephews in his extended family.
He was preceded in death by ten brothers and sisters and his wife of 62 years.
Paul exemplified a life well lived and the realization of the American Dream. He grew up poor as the son of immigrant share-croppers and a first generation American. He worked tirelessly to build a good life for himself and his family and left us following the Centennial celebration of his parents’ migration to America at the Fraga family annual picnic. We, his family believe that he passed in the best way that he could, filled with the joy of having been surrounded by the family that he loved so much. Hopefully, there will be things for him to work on and fix in his afterlife…since he hated idleness and having nothing to do!
The family has entrusted A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home with the arrangements.
Memorial visitation will be Monday, October 14, 2019 from 3 to 8 PM with a 7 PM Rosary Service at A.J. Desmond & Sons 2600 Crooks Rd. Troy, MI 48084 (248) 362-2500.
The Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel, 2215 Opdyke Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304. Visiting will begin 10:30 AM at church.
Military Honors & Inurnment will follow Mass. A luncheon will be held at the San Marino Club.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Michoacan to Michigan Fraga Family Memorial film project: www.michoacantomichigan.com
and/or
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: https://www2.jdrf.org/site/Donation2?idb=804136898&df_id=20303&20303.donation=form1&FR_ID=7808&mfc_pref=T&PROXY_ID=11086699&PROXY_TYPE=20
Paul Robert Fraga Sr., 91, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, passed away on August 11, 2019.
He was born to parents Martina Herrejon Fraga and Valeriano (Anthony) Fraga, Mexican immigrants, share-croppers and farmers, on August 13, 1927 in Burnside Township, Lapeer County, Michigan.
Paul left school early and enlisted in the US Navy as a Seaman First Class at the end of World War 2. After serving honorably, he was discharged and became an apprentice electrician in Local 58 in 1949, following his brother John’s lead. On completion of his apprenticeship, Paul became a journeyman electrician in 1953, working his way up to Master Electrician and ultimately Electrical Superintendent over his 40 year career.
As a journeyman electrician, Paul served in a supervisory capacity for several years before joining John Miller Electric Co. in 1957. Working for John Miller, Paul supervised crews of up to 200 electricians on some of the major construction projects in the greater Detroit area including; the Fisher Theatre remodeling; the Lafayette Towers; the McNamara Federal Building; Chrysler’s Stamping and Engine Plants; the Ford Motor Chassis and Steel Mill Plants. He was job Electrical Superintendant for the Ford Motor Casting Plant which on completion was the largest casting plant in the world. Paul was Electrical Superintendant on the Marysville Consumers Power Co. Synthetic Natural Gas Plant in 1972, one of the largest gas reforming facilities in the world. One of his last jobs prior to retirement was working on the People Mover in downtown Detroit. A job that caused him untold frustration, but one in which he was extremely proud of being a part of, began operations in 1987.
After 40 years of service, Paul retired from John Miller in 1989 and for several years travelled across the country with his beloved spouse Eleanor, making it to 49 of the 50 states. After their travelling days were over, they settled in Lake Havasu City, AZ where they hosted visits from many family and friends.
Paul loved being active. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling and golf. Above all else, he loved and was devoted to his family. He was introduced to his future wife Eleanor Botos by his sister Margie around 1948. They were married in 1949 and started to build a family. In the 1950’s along with brother Joseph and brother in law Ambrose, Paul helped his parents realize the dream of owning their own farm, an 80 acre crop and dairy farm in Imlay City that was destined to be a family focal point for generations.
One of his proudest accomplishments was the building of their home in Bloomfield Hills, MI in 1956. Along with help from his family and friends in the construction business, he literally built this home with his own hands. In it, he and Eleanor would raise all five of their children: Camille M. (Robert) Von Dreele, Paul R. (Lenore) Fraga II, Daniel W. Fraga, Anthony K. (Julie) Fraga and Monique L. (Dave) Anthus.
A lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and Elks Club, Paul and Eleanor enjoyed going out dancing and partying with friends and family. With these groups they made several trip to Europe for vacation excursions.
Having grown up working on farms as his parents worked at shares, Paul always retained a fondness for farming and an appreciation for hard work and work well done. In the 1970’s he purchased a small fruit farm in Metamora, MI and would spend countless weekends teaching his children some of the lessons he learned working in a farming environment. This property would also serve at times as a gathering point for holiday celebrations for his extended family after his parents retired from farming. Later he would purchase a farm in Hawks, MI and likewise would spend many, many weekends working on the farm as well as hosting hunting and fishing outings for family and friends.
Paul is survived by his beloved brother Daniel E. (Helen) Fraga, sister in law Helen Fraga, sister and brother in law Dorothy and Stan Lazar. He was a proud and loving grandfather (Papa) to Kristen, Danielle, Camille, Michael (Jenna), Maria (Chris), Teresa, Paul R III (Rosie), Peter, Adrienne, Stephanie, Jeremy, Marc, Elizabeth, Jacqueline, and Sophia. A proud and loving great grandfather to Isabel, Lucy, Nolan, Gioia, Jude, Dorothy (deceased) and Anthony Alan. Paul was a beloved uncle to over 300 nieces and nephews in his extended family.
He was preceded in death by ten brothers and sisters and his wife of 62 years.
Paul exemplified a life well lived and the realization of the American Dream. He grew up poor as the son of immigrant share-croppers and a first generation American. He worked tirelessly to build a good life for himself and his family and left us following the Centennial celebration of his parents’ migration to America at the Fraga family annual picnic. We, his family believe that he passed in the best way that he could, filled with the joy of having been surrounded by the family that he loved so much. Hopefully, there will be things for him to work on and fix in his afterlife…since he hated idleness and having nothing to do!
The family has entrusted A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home with the arrangements.
Memorial visitation will be Monday, October 14, 2019 from 3 to 8 PM with a 7 PM Rosary Service at A.J. Desmond & Sons 2600 Crooks Rd. Troy, MI 48084 (248) 362-2500.
The Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel, 2215 Opdyke Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304. Visiting will begin 10:30 AM at church.
Military Honors & Inurnment will follow Mass. A luncheon will be held at the San Marino Club.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Michoacan to Michigan Fraga Family Memorial film project: www.michoacantomichigan.com
and/or
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: https://www2.jdrf.org/site/Donation2?idb=804136898&df_id=20303&20303.donation=form1&FR_ID=7808&mfc_pref=T&PROXY_ID=11086699&PROXY_TYPE=20
Visitation
A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home
2600 Crooks Road (btw Maple & Big Beaver)
Troy, MI US 48084
Troy, MI US 48084
Rosary 7 PM
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Service
St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel
2215 Opdyke Road
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304
Visiting begins 10:30 AM.
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