Frank Nicholas Glavan's Obituary
Frank Nicholas Glavan passed away on November 7, 2021. A self-proclaimed “late bloomer”, everyone loved him because of his wit and dry sense of humor. He charmed people with his Croatian accent, although he didn’t think he had an accent. He was a remarkable single parent who raised his three youngest children by himself.
He was born Branko Glaser on March 11, 1927 in Zagreb, Croatia (Yugoslavia) to Leo and Jelana (Helen) Glaser. He learned to ski while on the family’s frequent winter trips to Kranjska Gora (in modern-day Slovenia, bordering Italy and Austria). He enjoyed skiing the rest of his life continuing well into his 60s.
In the late 1930s, the growing German/Nazi influence and anti-semitic environment prompted Leo to change their surname from Glaser (it sounded too German) to Glavan. They became Roman Catholic in hopes that would protect them from Nazi persecution, but since the holocaust was more about ethnicity than religion, it was to no avail. Soon after, the family fled to Italy to escape the Nazi-Yugoslav regime and the impending round-up of Yugoslav Jews, leaving behind their property and assets.
The Glavan family spent the years of World War II moving around Italy to avoid arrest and deportation. A teen-age Branko had several near-fatal encounters with the occupying German forces.
As Allied forces pushed north along the boot of Italy, Branko and his family crossed the front lines to the relative safety of British-controlled Italy. The British Army quickly employed him because of his fluency in 5 languages. His Italian acquaintances “Italianized” his name to Franco Glavani.
After the War, the Glavans emigrated to Sweet Home, Oregon with the help of a soldier they knew in Italy. Frank’s name changed for the last time to Frank Glavan. He served in the United States Army during the Korean war. He married Helen Sparks and they moved to Wishram, Washington, where he worked as a clerk for the SP&S Railroad. He later transferred to Portland, Oregon, where he continued to work for the railroad as an accountant. In time, SP&S was purchased by Burlington Northern, and work took him to Seattle, WA, Glendive, MT and St. Paul, MN.
After retirement, he lived in Layton, UT for a short time before relocating to Beaverton, OR. During his many years in Beaverton he enjoyed bowling, going to the gym, volunteering for the Red Cross, and breakfasting at the Village Inn and Shari’s Café, where he made friends with the waitresses and even the manager. Health concerns necessitated a return to Utah, where he spent the last five years living at Family Tree Assisted Living in West Point. He enjoyed getting to know the other residents and especially the staff.
Frank loved classical and big band/swing music, hiking, skiing, and visiting with his kids and grandkids. He solved crossword puzzles in pen, right up until the last few days of his life.
Surviving are his children Kathi (Rod) Garlick, Steve (Caryl) Glavan, Carla (Rick) Venturi, and Scott (Cathy) Glavan, 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mira (Arley) Hartley, son Mark and daughter Cori (Paul) Worlton.
Frank will be cremated and a celebration of life will be held in the Portland area in the spring of 2022, details to be determined at a later date.
Doviđenja, Branko. Addio Franco. Farewell, Frank.
What’s your fondest memory of Frank?
What’s a lesson you learned from Frank?
Share a story where Frank's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Frank you’ll never forget.
How did Frank make you smile?