Francisco H. 'Frank' Galeana

Frank (Francisco Hermenegildo) Galeana, April 20, 2010. Born August 29, 1929.

Survived by his wife Jerry, children Carl (Barb) Galeana, Roseann (Rusty) McBain, Frank H. Galeana (and their mother, Theresa Krantz), and Brian (Amy) Evans; grandchildren: Rael (Jason) Galeana, Natalie (Brent) Skillman, Paige McBain, Carl J. Galeana, Russell McBain, Emma Galeana, Hannah McBain, Michael Galeana, Bruce Evans, and Maximilian Evans; great granddaughter: Sloane Elizabeth Skillman; and brother, Carlos (Barb) Galeana. Preceded by daughter Elizabeth Kay Galeana, sister Feliza Bennett, and parents Francisco Galeana & Isaura Galeana.

Frank was a 'Car Guy' who started his career at Ford Motor Company in 1956, eventually rising to head Ford Motor Company Trucks and Government sales in Africa and Spain while living in Nairobi, Kenya, 1965-1966. He left Ford Motor Company to follow his dream of becoming an automotive dealer. He eventually bought Van Dyke Dodge in Warren, Michigan, in 1974 and for the next 36 years was one of America's top dealers both in volume and in profitability. Frank was past Chairman of the National Dodge Dealer Council and served numerous years on its Executive Committee, as well as Chairman of the Dodge Dealer Advertising Association, and was the 1972 Time Magazine Dealer of the Year Nominee. He was active in helping Chrysler Corporation with their first government loan in the early eighties and was proud to be in the Oval Office when President Carter signed the bill. He served on Saturn's first National Dealer Council and was also a recipient of the Auto Dealer Education Award given by Northwood University.

Owner of Galeana Automotive Group, which includes Galeana's Van Dyke Dodge, Saturn of Lakeside, and Saturn of Warren, all in Michigan; Galeana Chrysler Jeep and Kia in Columbia, South Carolina; Galeana Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Kia in Ft. Myers, Florida. In the 80s, Frank let the local high school hold their proms in his beautiful showroom in Ft. Myers. He did the same for Easter Mass for the local Catholic Church as they could not accommodate the overflow of people.

Frank had always felt the need to give back to the Hispanic community and has done so through Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice. A few years ago, they bestowed upon Frank and Jerry an award called The Good Samaritan Guild. It is to honor special benefactors who help people in need. "I would estimate that their support of the agency has allowed us to positively touch the lives of over 50,000 families," says Peter Routsis-Arroyo, CEO Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice.

Enjoyed going to Key West with family and friends. He loved traveling and smoking cigars all over the world. Especially loved Italy and sharing his “very own olive oil.” Frank had a unique sense of humor and his bantering was known to all as “I love you.” He served in the United States Army/Air Force. Graduated NYU with a Bachelor's degree in Business and Advertising. Member of Quail Creek Country Club and Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples, FL, as well as Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville, MI. Played golf in the “Dawn Patrol” at Quail Creek three times a week and loved his special group of golfing buddies.

A very special thank you to his great doctors at Henry Ford Hospital and in Naples, FL, as well as the very compassionate loving caregivers that he had during the last month of his life from Avow Hospice and Almost Family.

A Mass will be held at St. Aiden's Catholic Church, 17500 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI, on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Family visitation at 8:30 AM, public visitation at 8:45 AM, and Mass at 9:30 AM. A brunch will be served following the service at Meadowbrook Country Club, 40941 Eight Mile Road, Northville, MI.

Memorial donations may be made to the Elizabeth Kay Galeana Charitable Foundation % Andy Krause, 800 Laurel Oak Dr. Suite 600, Naples, FL 34108.