Obituary of Frank Lawrence Strocchia

Frank L. Strocchia, was born August 14, 1933 and passed away April 5, 2012 in his home in Henderson, NV, surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer. Frank was born in Chicago, IL to Lawrence and Anna Strocchia. Frank was a veteran in the Marine Corp.and served during the Korean conflict. He then attended the University of Utah on a football scholarship. Upon returning to Chicago he was employed by the City of Chicago, working for the Chicago Park District during the Mayor Daley administration and for 17 years as the Physical Fitness Coordinator for the Chicago Police Department. Frank was even better known for his proficient and fair-minded work on the football field during his 25 years as one of the finest collegiate football officials in the Big 10. His even-keeled efforts earned him many awards including the most recent induction in the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in Sept. 2011. A man of great fairness he was one of the last in a breed of men who would conduct business on a handshake. He could light up a room with his ebullient and larger-than-life persona, smile and genuine sincerity. Among his many leadership accomplishments, Frank was quite proud of his 20 year tenure as the Commissioner of the Catholic League conference. He was also the founder of the Illinois Police Department Olympics and is recognized as one of the co-founders of the Chicago Police Association of Nevada. Frank's ultimate claim to fame was having a small speaking part in the movie "Code of Silence" with Chuck Norris. He spent his later years in Henderson, NV where he and his wife, Lynn settled. He started a security company, SPECIAL OPERATIONS ASSOCIATES, which continues to productively operate today. He was an avid workout buff and could still be found lifting weights. He thoroughly enjoyed watching and analyzing sports, especially football. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lynn (Schrage), his children, Larry (Evelyn), John (Mike) (Karen), Frank, Tom, Tim, Richard (Amy), Mary Ann McCready (Steve), Deborah Strocchia, Laurel Strocchia, Vicki Howe, Pam (Bill) Togher, Jeff (Eileen) Kerrigan, Jennifer Kerrigan, and Christine Kerrigan. He was "papa" to 21 grandchildren and cherished "great papa" to three great grandchildren. He was a devoted nephew to Fannie Cody, Marian Tomaso and Carmella Surdyk. A service will be held on April 20, 2012 at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 10134 S. Longwood Dr., Chicago, Illinois at 11:00 a.m. A remembrance ceremony will be held on May 4, 2012 at The Revere Golf Club, 2600 Hampton Road, Henderson, NV 89052 at 11:30 a.m.. Interment will be private. A special thanks to Nathan Adelson Hospice, Dr. Jos. DeBellis and Dr. Regan Holdridge. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Nathan Adelson Hospice, 4141 Swenson St., Las Vegas, NV 89119