Frank William Schabold Jr.

Frank William Schabold, Jr., known affectionately as “Butch” to his family and friends, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2024.

Born on February 26, 1950, in Chicago to Frank W. Schabold, Sr. and Amelia (Schuch) Schabold, he was a devoted son, brother, cousin, nephew, uncle, husband, father, and friend. Frank was a cherished presence in the lives of all who knew him. His heart belonged to his family and he dedicated his life to providing the best for his family. Frank is survived by his loving wife Nora; his daughters Anna, Amy (Dave Kobus), and son Frank W. Schabold III; and his beloved brother Leonard (Kay). He is preceded in death by his brother Robert (Mary) and his parents.

Frank was a storyteller and a student of life, believing there were many paths to truth. He looked deeper to know himself and understand the universe through reading, travel, music, cooking, and the study of diverse cultures.

He was a martial artist, Tai’Chi practitioner and teacher, as a student of Chi Tao Ch’uan Gung Fu with the Green Dragon Society, and a Tai’Chi student and teacher at Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts.

An accomplished musician and producer, Frank played bass guitar, keyboard, harmonica, and — his first instrument — the accordion. His industry nickname was “Frankie Fairlight”, as he was a producer of electronic music using one of the earliest digital synthesizer and music samplers, the Fairlight Computer Musical Instrument. In his youth, he was a member of the Little Red Rooster band, and in college was the Bass Chair for the DePaul School of Music for four years. Frank built lifelong friendships with the people that he met through music.

Alongside his music career, Frank spent 23 years as the Shipping and Receiving Supervisor at the Institute of Food Technologists. After retirement, Frank found another calling as a professional Santa Claus, working five Christmas seasons at Golf Mill Mall. He embodied the spirit of Saint Nicholas in this work, and found joy in connecting to the children, adults, and pets that came to visit him for holiday magic.

As a Chicagoan born and raised on the South Side, later to raise a family on the North Side, no one knew how to navigate the city’s streets by car better than Frank. You could never get lost with him at the wheel, and he wanted to be remembered fondly through the song “Oh, Didn’t He Ramble?”.

"Frank had a loving nature and generous spirit. Those who loved Frank will miss him dearly and think of him daily. As we say goodbye, we celebrate a life lived to the fullest, and a heart that never grew weary of giving. He was a beacon of light to his family, a steadfast friend, a warrior and a soul whose memory will be treasured forever.

Frank was not afraid of death; he lived a good life and when it was his time, said he would be ready — though he was not in any hurry. He was a holy man who loved his God. Frank had faith, he “did not see his death as an end, but a new beginning.”

Frank's life will be celebrated in a private gathering with family and friends, where they will share stories, laughter, tears, tequila, and prayer. Frank’s interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Evergreen Park, IL.

With peace and love."

Visitation for Frank will be on Monday December 2, 2024 from 9:00 AM., until the Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM., at St. Clare of Montefalco Church, 5443 S. Washtenaw Ave, Chicago, IL 60632. Interment with a Chapel for a blessing and then process to Frank's burial site located at Lot 1126 Section N. at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums, 87th Street & S. Hamlin Ave, Evergreen Park, IL 60805.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to plant a tree in Dad's memory through the Arbor Day Foundation.

https://shop.arborday.org/commemorative-trees-for-others

with love and gratitude,

Nora, Anna, Amy, and Frank III

Fond memories and expression of sympathy may be shared at www.ridgefh.com for the Schabold Jr. Family.