Frank Giacomino

Frank Giacomino, 96, of Arlington Heights, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on October 18, 1929 in Chicago to the late John and Carmella Giacomino.

Frank was eternally devoted to his late wife Helen and his family was the center of his world. Whether it be his own children and their families or those of his siblings, nieces and nephews, his love knew no bounds. His stories, jokes, and genuine care for others brought friends and family together. Feeding his family on Sundays was a priority- gathering everyone into his kitchen and living room. Italian dishes were his specialty; he would gladly share his sauces, soups, sausage, brownies, cannolis or giardiniera. He made cooking with family a tradition and his recipes live on with all of us. Community was important to him as a long-time parishioner of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church.

He was a Korean War Veteran in the 1st Cavalry, Company C, 7th Cavalry Division. He was awarded a Bronze Star of Valor for heroically saving 12 men. He was also a Purple Heart recipient. Attending the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. was an experience he cherished. 

Ocean or pond, rain or shine, being on the water with a fishing pole was his happy place. He made annual trips to Alaska to fish for over 30 years. As a child, he foraged for mushrooms to feed his family and secured his greatest bounty at the age of 90. In addition to being an avid outdoorsman, he was a dedicated Chicago Bears fan and treated his grandkids sporting events with the same enthusiasm. He will forever be remembered by all who loved him.

Frank is survived by his children Joseph Giacomino, James (Kim Glabe) Giacomino, Bette (Keith) Zurawski, and Jane (Joe) Buchel; grandchildren Barb (Chris) Granberg, Karen (Kirk) Tonissen, Jeremy (Jules) Giacomino, Adam (Kara) Zurawski, Allison Zurawski, Alex (Regina Chen) Zurawski, Nicole (Jake) Precht, Alexis (James Franklin) Buchel, and Erik Buchel; great grandchildren Henry, Ben, Christian, Austin, Josh, Nate, Charli, Owen, Baby Z, and Baby F; and sister, Antoinette Ahrens.

Along with his parents, Frank is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years Helen (Casey) Giacomino and daughter Kathleen Benesch; siblings Carl Giacomino, Grace Giacomino, August Giacomino, Ann Starostka, John Giacomino Jr, Vincent Giacomino, George Giacomino and Rose Marie Szychlinski. 

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 24, 2026 from 10 AM until the funeral service at 11 AM at Daveport Family Funeral Home, 941 S. Old Rand Rd., Lake Zurich, IL. Burial to follow at Windridge Memorial Park, Cary.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Frank’s memory to JourneyCare, 405 Lake Zurich Rd., Barrington, Illinois 60010 or Fisher House Foundation, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 410, Rockville, Maryland, 20852.