Frank Rudolf Sida

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Frank Rudolf Sida

December 10, 1936 ~ March 7, 2019

Frank R. Sida, a resident of Golden, Colorado, passed away March 7, 2019. His family and friends can attest that he gave a heroic fight against the Alzheimer’s he fought. As the author Dylan Thomas penned, “Do not go gentle into that good night.”

Frank was born December 10, 1936 in St Louis, Missouri to Frank and Margaret (Duffy) Sida. He attended McBride Catholic High School. Before graduating, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and developed a lifelong brotherhood with Marines.

After finishing his service, he attended Washington University and received a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1965. His first and only job after graduating was with Standard Oil of Indiana, which later became Amoco Oil Company. He held numerous assignments with ever-increasing responsibility until he was offered his dream job: to start up from nothing a chain of independently branded gas and convenience stores in Salt Lake City named “Rainbo.”

He proudly operated and developed that group of stores to be one of the largest chains in Utah. Each year while operating the Rainbo C-Store chain, he reached out and actively supported the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Frank was able to retire in 1994 and spent much of the following years traveling in Europe with Kay, his wife, and actively participating in the leadership of St. Thomas More Parish.

He also was an avid outdoorsman. Family and friends can attest to the camp he used to set up each fall in the Flaming Gorge, Utah area, hunting and fishing, where he welcomed all. He also followed in the steps of his grandfather, Rudolph Sida, in making sausage and passing that craft to his children.

Frank is survived by his wife, Kay, of 62 years, older sister Gloria (Chick) Hartwig, younger brothers Jim Sida and Nick Sida, sons Rocky Sida and Steve Sida, along with daughters Amy Van Horn and Laura Sida. Equally important, Frank is survived by seven wonderful grandchildren whom he enjoyed teasing and spending time with.

A celebration of life service was held on March 20 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Evergreen, Colorado. Frank was laid to rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery, where he received a military burial.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America would honor his life.