Frank Licari

Funeral Mass for Frank S. Licari, 91, of Biwabik, will be 10am Monday, September 9, 2013 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Biwabik with Fr. Steve Daigle as celebrant. Visitation will be Sunday from 1-3pm at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert and will continue for one hour prior to the mass at church on Monday. Military honors will be accorded by the Aurora/Hoyt lakes Color Guard. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Lakeside Cemetery in Biwabik. Frank Sam Licari was Born February 8th, 1922 in Biwabik, Passed away on Wed September 4th, 2013 at his home due to complications of his illness. He was born to Peter and Antonina Licari in Biwabik. He attended school, was on the football team that took state in 1939, attended a trade school, moved for a short period to Idaho for work in the 40’s, served as a veteran in WWll with an honorable discharge November 21 1947, worked in the mines, was a postal clerk starting in1951 under the Post Master- his brother Joe Licari and later became Post Master as the first appointed in our area under the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, Served as Officer-in-charge from 1969-1971, Retiring September 26, 1986. He raised the flag at the post office for many years as a tradition continuing his colorful red, white, and blue scheme, marched for many years in the parades in his colors and at times playing his drums on a float (known as Sticks Licari). Many knew him as Mr. Biwabik which he later designated himself as “Mr. American”, “Uncle Sam’s Nephew.” Being a champion for the people he held many positions in the community, was a voice for local and state with the Mesabi East School District, Governor Rudy Perpich on the “Get out and Vote “campaign, while Post Master served on the Planning Commission (twice), Charter Commission, and Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the BACA. While in these positions he had many ideas that were suggested/submitted such as the wayside rest by the channel (sandbar), Highway 11, volunteer bad youth group to paint old building at the beach, Composed Testimony to America which was sent too many government agencies/representatives. This is full of ideas for economic development and comprehensive ideas for the East Range that included three communities and townships being merged within the Mesabi East School District line. He was very active in the political world, submitting ideas for positive change to many delegates nationwide from Senator Paul Wellstone, Minnesota House of Representatives, State of Minnesota, United States Senate, Congress of the United States, and the White House. He was a member of the American Legion in Aurora, the former Aurora Moose Club in Aurora, Knights of Columbus, East Range Historical Society (Now the Iron Range Historical Society). He is survived by his wife of 57 yrs. Gloria of Biwabik, Brother Andrew of Biwabik, His 6 children, Valerie Boyer of Aurora, Rodney (Tracy) Licari of Biwabik, Perry (Peggy) Licari of Overland Park, Kansas, Rita (Scott Christensen, Palo) of Biwabik, Francis Licari of Big Lake, David Licari of Biwabik, 11 grandchildren, Joshua, Adrian, Sarah Charina, Frank, Scott, Christina, Kamarya, Sam, Robert, Dana and several great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father Peter, Mother Antonina, Brothers Joe and Sam, Sisters Rose and Madeline, sister-in laws Rose Licari and Agnes Licari, Nephew Thomas Licari