Most days, Frank makes a point to find his way to the office of Janell Allison, the activity director at Oakmont Rochester Assisted. It’s an open-door policy; if the door is open, Frank lets himself in for a morning visit with Janell.

Not only is it a part of Frank’s routine, but now, it’s a part of Janell’s.

“I always look forward to our morning visits,” Janell said. “Every morning, he stops, and we chat. I tell Frank what’s going on for the day, what’s on my schedule and what’s going on here. He’s a special man.”

“Yeah, this is my place to stop in,” he said. “I don’t think she minds at all.”

Growing up in a Polish neighborhood

Frank spent his childhood in Hamtramck, attending St. Ladislaus High School. Among the things he liked to do was play baseball.

“Were we good?” Frank said. “You better believe it. We won a few, we lost a few, but it was a good time.”

It was while he was in school Frank met the first of his two wives. He says he was a fortunate man to find both.

“I had two very good women,” he said. “I was a very lucky man. Many people don’t get to meet one good person. But me, I met two and I was very fortunate. I’ll be buried between the two of them, so that’s pretty good.”

In his younger days, he lived in both Hamtramck and Detroit. After serving in the Army during World War II and fighting the Japanese, Frank eventually became a member of the Detroit Police Department. He was on the force for 25 years.

“I really liked it,” he said. “That’s what I wanted to do, so when I got out of the Army I became a police officer. I was a good cop.”

Staying busy after his working days

Being a police officer didn’t stop with his retirement, as he was an active member and organizer of various police organizations.

“I used to be a member of lots of groups,” he said.

He still enjoys socializing, too. Recently, his son brought his wife from California to pop in on Frank.

“They were over here to see me just a couple of weeks ago. They surprised me,” he said. “I came downstairs and they were waiting for me. It was really nice.”

We spoke with Frank right before he turned 90 years old. He was excited at the prospect of celebrating his birthday.

“My niece and some other people are taking me out to dinner,” he said. “I don’t know where we’re going, but it doesn’t matter, it’ll be a nice surprise. You know, as I turn 90, I can say I’ve led a good life.”