On February 28, 2017 the family of Frank J. "Red" Veres Jr. (the rock of our Veres family), had the honor of being at his side as he entered his heavenly home. He was born in Toledo, Ohio on June 22, 1924 to Frank J. Sr. and Rose (Strini) Veres. Red was very proud to be 92 and 2/3 years old and made sure everyone at St. Charles knew about the 2/3. Following his graduation from Waite High School, Red proudly served his country in the Army Corp of Engineers during World War II, where he was stationed in France and Okinawa, Japan. After the war, Frank married his beloved wife, Elizabeth "Betty" (Fuleky) on September 28, 1946 and was her devoted caretaker until his passing. Last September they celebrated with their family the momentous occasion of their 70th wedding anniversary. Red had an unwaivering work ethic. He worked for 21 years at the Pure Oil Refinery and 20 years for the City of Toledo in the Utilities Division before retiring in 1989. To provide his children with a Catholic education, he worked at the Playdium Bowling Alley for 18 years where he never met a stranger. In retirement Red and Betty loved traveling to Florida and on tours to see shows and the country. They loved their fall trips to Amish Country. He loved his Detroit Tigers and Lions remaining a loyal fan to both no matter what the outcome of the season. Red was a life-long resident of the Birmingham neighborhood and life-long member of St. Stephen's Catholic Church. He served as a trustee for the church from 1958-1962 during the construction of the new school and gym and was a past President and member of the St. Stephen Holy Name Society. He had a deep faith in God and loved to sing his praises each week in church as witnessed by all who sat near him. He loved to bowl and was President of the church bowling league for 15 years. Red was inducted in the Birmingham Hall of Fame in 1984 and served on the Board of Directors since 1985. He worked tirelessly over the years for the Hall of Fame to provide scholarships for college Freshmen who are descendents of Birmingham and the surrounding area. Red was a proud veteran and cherished his time spent at the VFW Post 4906 where he was a life member and past Commander. He played on the National Championship Softball Teams for the VFW in 1948 and 1950. On his 87th birthday, he was a special guest on Honor Flight and toured the war memorials in Washington, DC., in particular the WW II Monument which pays tribute to the honorable men and women of "The Greatest Generation". Many of his family members surprised him at the welcome home ceremony for the veterans where the crowd of 500 sang him a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday. He describes this as "one of the best days of his life." Anyone who met Red knew they had a friend for life. He made many friends during the 12 years he had a cottage in Port Clinton, where he was an avid fisherman. He always had a smile on his face, especially when he was able to be with his family. Red loved to share his homemade Hungarian pastries, especially his specialty, homemade nut rolls, with his family and friends. He was the breaded chicken king, and no one missed a chance to share a meal with him. Red was generous to a fault, especially to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be missed by the many lives he touched. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 70 years, Betty; children, Kathleen (Raleigh) Taylor, Joanne (Ernest) Toth, Michael (Evelyn) Veres; daughter-in-law, Jean Veres; grandchildren, Jason (Amy) Way, Melissa (Michael) Zellner, Julie (Steven) Miller; John (Sara) Veres, Annie (Dennis) Vore, Amy Veres, Lauren Veres, Ryan Veres, Michael Veres Jr., Christopher Veres, Wanda Veres, and Frankie Veres; great-grandchildren, Adam (Kali August), Madison, Lila, Andy, Rickie, Haylee, Jimmy, Sophia, Olivia, D.J., Ethan, Piper, Emma; also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Frank; son, Richard; brothers, Billy, John and Elmer; sister, Rosie. Friends may visit at the Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Rd. on Sunday, March 5, 2017 from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm. VFW services will take place at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday at Epiphany of the Lord Parish - St. Stephen's Catholic Church, 2018 Consaul St., at 11:00 am where the family will greet friends beginning at 10:00 am. Interment will follow in St. Ignatius Cemetery. Those wishing an expression of sympathy in Red's honor are asked to consider Epiphany of the Lord Parish – St. Stephen's Catholic Church or the Birmingham Hall of Fame Scholarship Fund.