Frank Slejko

Frank Slejko
October 9, 1921-July 20, 2018

Francesco Slejko was born in Aidussina, Italy October 9, 1921. He was the first member of his family to be born as an Italian. This geographical area, culturally Slovenian, was part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire for hundreds of years until Italy's win over Austria in WWI when it became part of Italy. His family was very poor, there was no father present, and Francesco was raised primarily by his uncle. When WWII started he joined the Italian army. He survived Allied bombings and saw action in Sicily as the allied forces landed. He retreated alongside German forces back to mainland Italy only to be captured by the Germans as a prisoner of war once the Italian government capitulated and became a foe of Germany. The next 27 months were spent in Nazi POW camp in Berlin. He escaped the regular carpet bombing campaigns, British by night and American by day, which often resulted in stray bombs hitting the camps. The war ended as Russian forces entered Berlin and liberated the POWs. In addition to removing anything of value that could be taken back to Russia the liberators also took Italian prisoners and began marching them towards the Russian border. Fortunately, American forces intervened and liberated them

His release as a prisoner brought him back to Audussina via a tortuous path by mostly hitch hiking. Upon arrival he discovered that his town had become part of Yugoslavia. It did not take him long to figure out that not having fought with the Communist resistance movement during the war would have resulted in his execution, together with tens of thousands of others. He escaped across the border to Gorizia which at that time was part of a Free Territory governed by the British and Americans, designated as such until the border disputes between Italy and Yugoslavia could be settled. He married Bruna and in 1948 had a child Luciano. During this 10 year period he joined the police force for the Allied Forces. Again, he managed to escape the numerous communist terrorist attacks directed at the police forces during this period.

In 1955 the border disputes were settled. Gorizia would be split between Italy and Yugoslavia, Aidussina became under communist control and would be renamed Ajdovscina. Once the Free Territory became Italian, the economy went from good to bad. Francesco and his wife Bruna, with their son Luciano, decided to emigrate to a better place. Applications were made to the So. African, American, and Australian embassies. The Americans responded first, and after a period of securing personal references, background checks, and medical clearances, he his wife and his son, took a train to Bremerhaven, Germany, and took a US Navy refugee ship to New York. On November 25, 1956 they arrived in New York.

The next 62 years of his life were uneventful! He realized the American dream. He provided for his family all that America's bounty could offer, they became US citizens and changed their first names, they worked hard, bought homes, and had 7 of his dream cars (Buicks). He adored his granddaughters Julia and Gina, and enjoyed the frequent visits by his great grandsons Desmond and Charlie. He always said that he never would wear a seat belt, that he would drive a car to the end, would never live outside his own home, and would never use a cane or walker. He lived and died the way he wanted.

Survived by son Frank (Miriam) Slejko; granddaughters Julia F. (Craig Etheridge) Slejko, Gina S. (Peter) Mohr; great-grandchildren Desmond & Charles. Memorial Service, Saturday, August 11, 2018, 11:00 AM, Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80227.

Memorial Service: August 11, 2018 11:00 am

Horan & McConaty - SW Denver/Lakewood
3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80227

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