Remembering Frank brings thoughts of a man who was a blessing to his family, and also a blessing to anyone whom he came in contact with.
Frank Alfano was born on November 7th, 1919 in his home on Extra Place in New York City. He was the son of Salvatore and Maria Farrauto Alfano. He was a father, a grandfather, a husband, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a friend, and a proud WWII Veteran.
Frank, or “Frankie,“ lived the earlier years of his life living in a cold water flat in New York City with his parents and his sister Anna. He was adored by his parents and relatives. Frankie was only 11 years old when his mother passed away, and his extended Italian Family quickly adopted him and looked after him, his father, and his sister.
Frankie enjoyed his childhood in the streets of NYC where he played stickball in the street, worked at his uncle's mechanics shop and attended school. Frankie left the streets of Manhattan to serve in WWII in 1943, and he did so with extreme pride and love for his country. In the army he held several jobs, one as a tire rebuilder and a technician. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
Frankie valued education his entire life and had a natural mathematical mind, however, Frankie had never dreamed he could go to college. When he returned from the war, money was tight, and he knew he could not afford it. It was a complete surprise to him to learn that his father, Salvatore, had saved his hard earned money for many, many years and put it aside for Frankie to go to college. Salvatore simply pulled Frankie aside one day, asked him to hold out his hand, and placed all the cash he had saved for this day in Frankies hand and said in Italian, “this is for my boy, to go to get the education he deserves."
Frankie got his engineering degree at American University in Washington DC. His father was extremely proud of him, as he was the first member of the family to complete a college education.
His expertise was in estimating and engineering, figuring jobs for large corporations. His biggest pride and joy was the part he and his company played in building the World Trade Center. When most people would rush to retire at the age of 65, Frankie remained active in his field consulting for local contractors right up until he was 87 years old. “The mind must remain active” and "a person should be productive as long he can be” were words we heard often from him.
Frankie's life changed when he met his wife, Margaret, who literally was “the girl next door” and went on to raise four children - Sal, Peter, Maria and Anne. He was an outstanding family man, a real provider, giver and teacher. Frank and Margaret were married for 54 years until her passing in 2006.
Sal, Peter and Maria were raised in Jamaica, Queens where they were surrounded by their strong, Italian family. When it appeared that a better life for their children awaited them on Long Island, they moved to Huntington, and built a home on the land long owned by Margaret’s family. It was there that their fourth child, Anne, was born.
After many enjoyable years in Huntington, the family relocated to Mount Sinai, NY, and took their place in the “house on the hill.” It was there that Frankie lived until he was 88 years old. He then spent the next years living comfortably at the home of his youngest daughter Anne, her husband Steve, and grandson Dan.
Frankie found enjoyment in many things. He bowled frequently, sang in the Knights of Columbus Choir, was devoted to his church, attended his senior club regularly to play poker with his buddies, and always looked forward to his plate of spaghetti that Margaret would faithfully have prepared for him every Thursday and Sunday. He loved to tinker and repair things, and was always on hand to teach a thing or two to anyone who was willing to learn. He loved to tell (and laugh at) his own jokes, often having difficulty finishing the joke because he would laugh prior to the punch line...
Frankie was extremely proud of his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren....and his children are completely grateful to him for the parenting gifts he gave to them. It was from both Frankie and Margaret that the Alfano children learned to be givers and not takers, to have grateful hearts, and to live their lives according to God's word. He was always there to teach them, whether it be how to build a go-kart from discarded lawn mower parts, or how to tackle a difficult life situation. He not only read his bible daily, but he lived the word of God each day of his life.
Frankie is survived by his children, Sal, Peter, Maria and Anne, their spouses, Michelle, Donna, Jimmy and Steve, eight grandchildren, Daniel, Veronica, John, Lauren, Bryan, Paul, Josh and Samuel, great grand daughters Samarra and Anysia, and great grandsons Calvin and Ian. His spirit of love lives on in them, and that spirit will always keep him connected to his family.
We will forever remain blessed for having him in our lives. He is a perfect example of a life well lived.
Reposing at O.B. Davis Funeral Homes, 4839 Nesconset Highway, Port Jefferson Station, NY on Friday, from 2-4:30 p.m. & 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass, 10 a.m. Saturday at Infant Jesus Chapel at St. Charles Hospital, Port Jefferson, NY. Interment to follow at Sea View Cemetery, Mt. Sinai, NY.
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