Francisco B Sáenz

Today we celebrate and remember the life of Francisco "Frank" B. Saenz who transitioned from this earth peacefully at 101 years of age on Saturday, November 26, 2022, in Chicago, but whose soul and memory live on through his loving family. He was a proud Mexican-American, a true Chicagoan, and a decorated World World II veteran.

He lived a long life starting in Laredo Texas on January 4, 1921. He entered the army at 19 years old serving from September 26, 1940, through May 5, 1945. His journey took him from Texas to Scotland to England, to Whales, to France, to Luxembourg, to Belgium, and finally to Germany. As a tank driver for the 602nd Tank Destroyer Battalion during World War 2, he was affectionately known as “Cisco” by those he fought alongside. The Battalion held notable campaigns battling along the Moselle River and supporting operations that led to the capture of Metz in France as well as supporting operations during the Battle of Bulge in January 1945. His tank was bombed one evening while sleeping and the tank was destroyed, but Frank survived the attack. Perhaps most notably, he held ground fighting at Omaha Beach on D-Day. For his notable years of service, he received four battle stars including one for bravery.

After the war, Frank settled in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood in what is now DePaul University’s campus, where he raised a family of 4 children with his wife Carmen Saenz, worked at Butternut Bread From the 1950s until his retirement, and eventually relocated to the Montclare neighborhood.

He enjoyed the company of his family, BBQ'ing, smoking cigars and drinking old-style in his earlier years, and watching Bears and Cubs games on TV. He will be loved, missed, and remembered by four immediate children, twelve immediate grandchildren, and six immediate great-grandchildren.