- Date Of Birth: May 29, 1932
- Date Of Death: September 26, 2022
- State: New Jersey
Frank was born in Brooklyn, NY. His parents Frank and Edna May, raised
Frank and his younger sister Eileen and younger brother Robert(Bobby) in
Coney Island. He grew up surrounded by family- aunts, uncles and cousins
and friends that became family.
Frank served in the Army, worked in many fields; primarily Painting. He
met Annette Cocolichio ( yes) at the St. George Hotel( at a dance- just
wanted to clarify the circumstances) Annette was smitten – and so was
Frank.
I’d like to say Frank and Annette’s relationship was the “perfect romance”
-but I can’t. Yet, it was perfect for them! Annette was his “Annie Baby’ and
Frank was her “Frankie Boy.”
They had lots of children – mostly girls (5, Eleanor, Frances, Theresa,
AnnMarie and his ‘baby’ Barbara Jean- don’t say that to her – she hates it )
1 prince of a boy …Frank Joseph Jr. He also loved his siblings’ children-
Edna May, Robert and Michael.
Frank was able to retire to New Jersey – or as my family called it ‘the
country’. Frank loved his home. He grew vegetables for a time, swam in his
pool, landscaped and spent a lot of time at Monmouth Race track (we lost
track of the” I should have”, “I could have” …”if only” conversations
regarding his horse picks). We never tired of the crinkle in his beautiful
blue eyes when he told a story – inevitably followed by lots of laughter.
The joy Frank shared with his children seemed to be magnified with his 6
grandchildren, Diana, Caitlin, Tommy,Paul Doc, Christopher and Samantha
Eileen. They all had their own special relationships with their grandfather.
Frank was also a great grandfather – or “GG” as his ‘greats’ Jackson, Mae
Macaela and Dillon called him. He loved to do whatever they lovedcoloring,
playing Wii- it didn’t matter he adored them!
He and his beloved sister Eileen taught us how to be a family. During one
holiday he decided to pose all the kids in the living room for a family photo:
he laid upside down on the couch with his head hanging down trying to get
the perfect shot with his camera. My mom was by his side as she usually
was thinking this was all ‘normal’….Eileen walked in to this and asked
“what’s wrong with him- do you know he’s crazy?” Yet we always knew
how much they loved each other – in spite of the arguments and craziness!
It is difficult to sum up a person’s life in a few words- Frank was more than
words on a page. He was the heart, pulse and soul of our family. He loved
deeply and completely. He accepted all of us as we are. Frank was more
than where he lived and what he did. He always said ‘I love life’ and he did.
He lived a life that was rich and full- with joy, pain, heartache, tears,
sarcasm and more. The last few months were trying for him ( and us) .
When asked if he was worried about the future he replied quickly “No” I
can’t worry about things I can’t control. He said his prayers at night with
his rosary and a prayer book he had from childhood. He had faith in God
and in us. He was at peace, he lived a good life surrounded by people he
loved and people who loved him. He will be missed.
