His family mourned the loss of a generous man who played a hard-checking game of hockey and dreamed of being a police officer. Straub joined the National Guard with a friend right after graduating from Jules Mastbaum Vocational-Technical High School in 1998; in civilian life, he worked for UPS at Philadelphia International Airport.
The loss was also keenly felt among his neighbors on the 1800 block of East Cornwall Street. They gathered yesterday outside the Straubs' rowhouse, which was decorated with an American flag and a faded yellow ribbon.
"He wasn't scared to be in Iraq, but he did tell me, 'It's maybe what hell looks like, dude,' " said younger brother Sean Straub, 22. "He would do anything for anybody, and he gave up his life for this country."
Sean Straub said the family last heard from Frank Jr. on Monday, the day before the fatal mission, when he e-mailed his mother and his fiancee, Jamie Ippoliti, to say that he was OK but that things were "crazy" there. He promised to call when his latest patrol was over, Sean Straub said.
"Frankie was gung ho," Sean Straub said. "He had it in his blood that he wanted to be in the service." While his brother wasn't eager to be deployed to Iraq in November, Sean Straub said, "he said it was his duty."
Family members said that Frank Jr. was helping fellow guardsman Gennaro Pellegrini Jr. - a Philadelphia police officer who also was killed on the mission - collect flip-flops to distribute to Iraqi children.
"He said he was happy to be helping out," said block captain Connie Hill. "I guess he figured it was a good cause."
But there was also an undercurrent of anger on the block.
"We're going to lose all our good men over there," said Luz Gonzales. "Enough is enough. Kids are dying - for what?"
Said Dee McKendry: "They shouldn't be there. I'd like to see the President over there with a gun. Sorry, that's the anger coming out in me."
In addition to his brother Sean, Frank Straub Jr. leaves behind his father, Francis J. ("Big Frankie") Straub Sr.; his mother, Linda; a brother, Brian, 19; and a sister, Dana, 14.
Neighbors were planning a sunset memorial service with candles, ribbons and teddy bears. The Straubs are planning a funeral.
"They give you a flag, and that's an honor," Sean Straub said. "My brother died an honorable death. But I don't want a flag. I want my brother."
Contact staff writer Thomas Fitzgerald at 215-854-2718 or tfitzgerald@phillynews.com. Post a comment at http://go.philly.com/askfitzgerald.
