Frank "Fritz" Lesinszki, age 99¾, passed away peacefully at home on May 28, 2026, in the very house where he was born nearly a century earlier.

Born on August 28, 1926, in Toledo, Ohio, to Frank and Margaret (Ferencsik) Lesinszki, Fritz lived a remarkable life defined not by wealth, titles, or accomplishments, but by something far rarer: genuine goodness.

Fritz graduated from Waite High School in 1944 and proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II. Following his military service, he worked at the Toledo Auto-Lite plant before joining the Lucas County Engineer's Office as a surveyor. He retired in 1979 after thirty years of dedicated service.

Retirement for Fritz was nothing like it is for most guys. There was no golf, or fishing, or just plain relaxing or watching TV for hours on end. He no longer worked a job, but he did not slow down for an instant and certainly did not stop working. He loved working! For nearly forty-seven years of retirement, he embraced every day with purpose. Each day began with a plan, a project, an errand, a garden to tend, a friend to visit, or somewhere to go, however, he always made sure he was home from 12:30 - 1:30pm to watch The Young and the Restless. LOL!

Those who knew Fritz understood that his greatest gift was people. He possessed a rare ability to make everyone feel important. Whether speaking with family, friends, neighbors, or complete strangers, he listened intently, remembered details, and followed up with sincere interest. If you told Fritz you were going somewhere, be prepared. The next conversation would include questions about where you went, who was there, how long you stayed, what happened, whether everything went according to plan, what time you left, and what time you got home. He wasn't being nosy; he was genuinely interested, and he remembered every detail.

There are simply not enough words to fully describe the gentle and loving man he was. In nearly a century of life, he remained kind, humble, grateful, and remarkably gentle, while continually working on what he himself would admit was his lifelong challenge: patience. He never raised his voice, never spoke harshly of others, and never sought recognition. While his heart was gentle, his spirit was restless. Fritz approached every day with the energy of a man decades younger. Even at 99, he was frustrated that age occasionally forced him to sit down for five minutes after working for twenty. The fact that he could still work on his hands and knees in the garden at that age seemed insignificant to him; he was more concerned about the five-minute break. Like the hummingbird so many compared him to, Fritz was always moving, always curious, and always looking for the next thing that needed to be done.

A self-proclaimed sun worshiper, Fritz loved warm summer days, the beach, and being outdoors. His flower garden was among his greatest joys. Even in his final year, he could be found tending flowers, pulling weeds, feeding the birds and marveling at nature. He often wondered why someone had not yet invented grass that could grow as stubbornly as weeds and remain green through the hottest drought. He was endlessly curious, fascinated by how things worked, loved numbers, possessed an incredible memory, and never lost his sense of wonder about the world.

Fritz was a devoted Notre Dame football fan and spent more than fifty years attending games and cheering on the Irish alongside his lifelong best friend, Steve Csengeri. He found joy in life's simple pleasures: conversations with friends, visits with family, time in the sunshine, helping others, and especially babies, whose presence never failed to light up his face.

Though he never married and had no children of his own, Fritz became "Uncle Fritz" to countless people. His love extended far beyond family ties. He was a trusted friend, a godfather, a second grandfather, a dependable neighbor, and a steady and reassuring presence in the lives of those he loved. He cared for his father, mother, and two sisters until their passing, gave generously while living modestly, and quietly showed up whenever someone needed help.

To many, Fritz was the heart of the neighborhood and the glue that held people together. He never sought attention yet somehow became unforgettable. Friends described him as one-of-a-kind, the sweetest man they ever knew, a true humanitarian, and an angel on earth who made every day count. Perhaps the simplest description is also the most accurate: everybody loved Uncle Fritz.

Fritz is survived by his niece, Terri Miller; nephews, Mark and Brian Tomesek; great-niece, Stephanie Thorne-Miller; great-nephew, Matthew Miller; and great-great-niece, Arya Thorne.

He is also survived by his beloved "Framily," the Csengeri family: Barb (Csengeri) Marazon and her children and grandchildren; Gary and Joyce Csengeri and their children and grandchildren; along with countless friends, neighbors, and loved ones who considered him family. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Barb (Csengeri) Marazon, Amy Csengeri, and Gina (Csengeri) McQuade for their extraordinary love, care, and support during Fritz's final months.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Margaret Lesinszki; sisters, Velma Lesinszki, Zita Lesinszki, and Bernadette "Bernie" Tomesek-Singler; and his lifelong best friend, Steve Csengeri.

A Memorial Mass celebrating Fritz's beautiful life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, 1880 Genesee Street, Toledo, Ohio 43605, followed by a luncheon.

Memorial donations may be made in Fritz's name to Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Parish.

Fritz wanted to live forever, and those who loved him were completely on board with that plan. While ninety-nine years was a remarkable gift, it does not feel like enough to those who knew him best. His kindness, humility, faith, curiosity, and love for others left an imprint on countless lives.

The world is better because Uncle Fritz was here, and everyone fortunate enough to know him carries a little piece of him forward.

"Well done, good and faithful servant."