DeLaSalle 1957 - Frank Jirik

Frank Jirik

Jirik, Frank J. age 69, of Lakeville, passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord with his family by his side on April, 30, 2009, after a courageous battle with Lymphoma. Survived by loving wife of 46 years, Sharon; beloved children, Becky (Gordie) Markstrom, Scott (Teresa), Chell (Scott) Swanson and seven devoted grandchildren, Tony, Alyssa, Taylor, Addison, Scotty, Dillon and Alex. Also survived by siblings, Margie Smith, Leonard (Shirley), Monnie (Ted) Jirik, Mary (Jerry) Griffin, Katie Adamek; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Carole), Dennis (Alice) Pietrek and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Jirik. Forever cherished by many nieces, nephews and a heart full of priceless friends. Preceded in death by parents, Frank & Celia; in-laws, Edward & Helen Pietrek and brother, Charles. Frank will be lovingly remembered for his hard work, story telling, sense of humor and the devotion to his family and countless friends. He spent 40 years in the sports and entertainment industry and was blessed to work and develop lifelong relationships with colleagues at the Minnesota Twins, the North Stars and the Met Center, The San Jose Sharks, The Minnesota Wild and The Excel Energy Center among many others. Special thanks to Dr. Phillip Dien, Michelle Paulsen and the staff at Minnesota Oncology and Hematology, Burnsville Ridges Outpatient Infusion, Dr. Troy Scott at Fairview RidgeValley Clinic and Minnesota Community Hospice, especially Krishna Tingelhoff. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Tuesday, Church of the Risen Savior, 1501 CR 42 East, Burnsville. Visitation Monday, 4-8 PM, White Funeral Home, 14560 Pennock Ave., Apple Valley and one hour prior to Mass at church. Interment Wednesday, 12:00 PM, St. Isidores Catholic Cemetery, Sturgeon Lake, MN. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers and will be directed to charities chosen by Frank. White Funeral Home Apple Valley 952-432-2001

FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE

THE 40-year veteran of the sports and entertainment business got his start minding the turf at Met Stadium

Frank Jirik began his career by tending to the turf at the old Metropolitan Stadium and sweeping floors at the former Met Sports Center from those humble beginnings, Jirik rose to become general manager of the former Bloomington arena, and went on to oversee the design, construction and management of the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., when that arena was built in 1993 as the home of the National Hockey League's San Jose Sharks.

Jirik's expertise in arena management and extensive contracts in the sporting and entertainment industry were among the reasons the Minnesota Wild and the Xcel Engergy Center in St. Paul hired himn as a consultant in 2000. He helped bring several major concerts to the arena, including Neil Diamond and Luciano Pavarotti and the Three Tenors, said Jack Larson, the arenas vice president and general manager.

Jirik died after a battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Thursday at his home in Lakeville. He was 69.

Jirik graduated from DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis and was attending the University of Minnesota when he began working with the grounds crew at the Met Stadium. He joined the setup and tear-down crew at the Met Center when it opened in 1967 and was with the arena for 24 years. He left in 1990 as vice president of marketing and general Manager of the Met Center. When former North Stars owner Gordon Gund was awarded an expansion franchise in San Jose, he hired Jirik to direct the building and operation of the California arena, now seen as one of the most successful venues in the nation.

"Frank was very inventive and had lots of original ideas," said former Met Center General Manager Bob Reid, who hired Jirik. "He had a way of organizing an event operationally that helped us over rough spots in areas such as crowd control, ushering and staff wise."

Jirik's jovial yet common sense approach allowed him to gain favor with promoters looking for places to book concerts and touring shows.

"He was an amazing person because he had something you don't see much in our business any more: morals, integrity, truthfulness and honesty," said Jerry Mickelson, co-0wner of JAM Productions. "He was the kind of guy you wanted to do business with."

In his off time he enjoyed spending time boating, fishing and gardening at his family cabin near Sturgeon Lake, Minn. He also was an avid reader and devoted family man who faithfully attended his grandchildren's piano recitals, athletic events and theatrical performances, and always called when he could not, said his daughter, Chell Swanson of Prior Lake.

Jirik was committed to his faith and a member of the Church of the Risen Savior in Burnsville, where he was involved in outreach programs and food drives, Swanson said.

In addition to his daughter, Chell, Jirik is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sharon, of Lakeville; another daughter Becky Markstrom of Eagan; son, Scott of Broken Arrow, Okla; four sisters, Margie Smith of Kasota, Minn., Mary Griffin of Rochester, Minn., Katie Adamek of Burnsville, and Monnie Jirik of New Prague; brother Leonard of Mankarto, and seven grandchildren.

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