Ernest Fraijo, 91

Dec. 18, 1925 – March 29, 2017

Ernest Fraijo was born Dec. 18, 1925, to Osvaldo (Walter) Fraijo and Virginia Duarte Fraijo in Sawtelle, Calif. He was the oldest of their four boys. His ancestors were original settlers of the city of Irwindale, Calif. He was preceded in death by both parents and all his siblings.

Ernest was not quite 15 years old when the attack on Pearl Harbor commenced. He signed up for the U.S. Navy and when they found out how young he was, he had to ask his mother to sign the waiver for him to enlist. He finally became a Naval recruit on Dec. 26, 1942, and was sent to the Naval Base at Farragut, Idaho. He married Mary W. Wilson from Dalton Gardens in 1945. Ernest served both World War II and the Korean War.

After nine years of service, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy. He moved home to be with his family of girls and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. He worked for Morrison Knudsen doing construction. In 1955, he went to work at Kaiser Aluminum — Trentwood, and retired in 1988. The family lived in Coeur d’Alene until 1967 when they moved to Spokane. After the death of Mary in 1995, he moved to the Spokane Valley.

On Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at age 91, he was tired and his heart could beat no more. In passing, he joined Mary; his son-in-law, Lee Rogers; and those cherished grandchildren who had preceded him in death: Aimee Fraijo, Tricna Cloy, Cord Morse, Gracie Snider and Dereck Miller.

He is survived by his five daughters, Jeanne Gerke of Spokane, Wash., Leslie (Ivan) Miller of Colbert, Wash., Laura Fraijo of Maricopa, Ariz., Becky Rogers of Spangle, Wash., and Christine Fraijo of Spokane. He leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was lifetime member of the Montebello Elks, VFW Post 1435, Knights of Columbus — Fourth Degree and he was privileged to be part of Spokane Honor Flight in May 2014.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Spokane Veterans Home, your local VFW, the Knights of Columbus, Honor Flight or the Mary M. Fraijo Scholarship Fund.

Rosary service will be at 6 p.m. Friday, April 7, 2017, at St. Joseph’s Cemetery and Chapel, 17825 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley, Wash. Military honors, memorial service and Mass will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 8, 2017, at St. Joseph’s Cemetery and Chapel, 17825 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley.

Funeral services provided by Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Services, 7200 N. Wall St., Spokane, WA 99208, (509) 467-5496.