Frank Dumich

Former Seaview, Washington resident Frank A. Dumich, 84, died February 27, 2008 in Longview, Washington where he had resided the past three years. Frank was born July 17, 1923 in Astoria, Oregon, the son of John Anton and Marija (Naterlin) Dumich, each of whom had immigrated to America from their native Croatia. The couple married and settled near the Hudson Bay fish receiving station at Pillar Rock, Washington. There young Frank learned the ropes of commercial fishing. He walked to his one room elementary schoolhouse in nearby Dahlia, Washington. Later, to attend high school in Naselle he traveled the Columbia River by bow picker gillnet boat. During World War II Frank served with the U.S. Navy. He enjoyed recounting stories about his wartime stint on the troopship USS Admiral W. S. Benson. Even though he toured the world, Frank's favorite recollection was enjoying sacks full of old fashioned frankfurters aboard ship. Returning from the war Frank returned to his fishing roots. He married Katherine M. Ivanoff on December 16, 1950 in Naselle. The couple made their home at Pillar Rock until fishing on the Columbia River declined. Eventually relocating to Seaview, Frank ventured trolling for salmon out of the Port of Ilwaco. With his Blix-built boat "Franky John" he continued to harvest the Pacific Ocean until retirement in the mid 1970s. Along with fishing and clam digging, Frank loved animals. He adopted and named a stray gosling "George". Having a bad leg, George was a house pet until too big for a cardboard box and ready for outside guard duty. Katherine proceeded Frank in death. Surviving are daughters Irene (Henry) Cadonau of Astoria, Marina (Gary) Groves of St. Helens, OR; son Frank J. Dumich of Chinook, WA; five grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; sister Mary Guentner of Portland; several nieces and a nephew. Funeral service will be Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 1:00 PM at Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach. Following a reception at the chapel graveside service will be held at Ocean View Cemetery, Warrenton, OR. The casket will be open Tuesday, 10 AM until 5 PM at Penttila's Chapel. The family requests memorials to either the American Cancer Society or Doernbecher Children's Hospital. The guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.