Frank Perez

Frank graduated from Lake Elsinore High School and enjoyed working at fast food restaurants during his early years.

Eventually he began a lifelong career with Ludwig Court Reporting Agency where he assisted with building maintenance, and various creative projects over the years. He was a gem of an ‘all around’ employee that would help with whatever he could and knew when an expert was needed.

Frank also enjoyed working at Elizabeth’s Place Antique and Interior design. He would work with Elizbeth assisting her as needed and with Estate Sales. While working at estate sales he would find ways of collecting various items that he appreciated.

Frank valued occasional travel and had a passion for the California coast particularly Cambria and Big Sur.

Frank loved listening and dancing to many genres of music, especially music from the ‘Disco era’. He couldn't resist stepping out onto the dance floor getting his "groove" on when he heard his favorite tunes. Frank was a fan of Stevie Nicks, Madonna, Cher, Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga to name a few.

Frank was 4 foot and some inches tall, with a personality that was barely contained in that slight frame. He entered a room like a bomb going off, and just kept sparking. And sparkling. Frank was one of the gayest blades who ever gayed. His love of glitter only slightly outpaced his flamboyant taste in rhinestones.

If there was a party, not only was Frank coming…he was coming with three outfit changes, each more elaborate than the last. There would be platform shoes. It was possible…no…probable, that something containing spandex, or lurex, was waiting to make an appearance. Or perhaps he would choose something in early whips and chains.

Frank had style, but he also had class. If you met Frank, you loved him. That was the rule set down from on-high, and no one was going to break it.

He and his husband Jimmy, came down for my wedding, and as always, Frank jumped in to help, to coerce, to make things run like a locomotive. The day after, as our poor tired selves went to my friend’s home where the wedding was held, to clean up, Frank comes bopping up the drive, dressed in what can only be described as early American tampon. He was head-to-toe white, with some kind of fluffy fringe up and down his legs. And was there to help clean. I’ve never laughed so hard, watching him wipe things down and try not to get dirty.

Party favors were a particular favorite, for Frank. He had a full complement of party hats, Mickey Mouse ears, hats, tiaras, feathers…you name it. And he wasn’t afraid to use them. Frank was the happy-happy joy fairy here to spread good cheer, with a wave of his wand, of which I believe he also had an assortment.

We lost Frank this week, and the world is a much more dull and somber place, as a result. Frank was not a sideshow; he WAS the show. So here we who loved him find ourselves, without a star. Nosing around in the dark, missing his technicolor flame.

I’d give anything to have Frank back, and I am not alone. Jim Maslowski, Darrel, Thelma, and his millions of family and friends. We’d claw back time until our fingers bled to get another day, year, or decade, of Frank.

Frank should be here. But he isn’t, any longer, and that grief, we get to shoulder, until the rest of us shuffle off this mortal coil.

Somewhere out there, perhaps, our dear friend is seated in the universe’s largest walk in closet, deciding between a magenta or scarlet boa, for the heavenly party he’s about to seize control of.

Frank is survived by his loving family including his husband, Jim Maslowski, Sisters; Aloise, Herlinda, Yolanda, Delia, Sharleen, and Juanita many relatives and a host of friends.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frank Perez, please visit our flower store.