Paul Anthony Frongello

He was preceded in death by his parents, Barbara and Robert Frongello. Paul was born in Washington, D.C., and spent his childhood in Annandale, Virginia, where he met the love of his life, Anne Pastor. Paul and Anne had a fairytale love story, meeting at the age of 14—becoming high school and college sweethearts, and even starting their careers together at IBM in 1984, the same year they married. Paul was an exceptional athlete, notably as a member of the football, basketball, and track & field teams at Annandale High School. He starred as a defensive back for the Annadale Atoms’ 1978 undefeated football team that finished the season as the top-ranked high school football team in the country. In the Virginia state championship, Paul blocked a short field goal and an extra point to lead the Atoms to a 14-13 victory. Paul completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia (go Hoos), where he earned a B.S., with high honors. He then joined IBM, where he had an impressive tenure, spending his entire 40-year career there working in finance and e-commerce.

Paul had many things he enjoyed in life, including watching sports (and, in particular, cheering on his Virginia Cavaliers and the Baltimore Orioles) and playing his ukulele, but his greatest passion in life was being “Pops” to his grandchildren and “Dad” to his children. Whether it was playing “monsters,” building things, or reading books together, his grandchildren loved their time with their “Pops” and know he loved them immensely. Paul often coached his sons’ sports teams during their childhood and rarely missed a game as they competed all the way through college. He enjoyed spending time with his family at the beach, especially in recent years when he owned a beach condo in Pine Knoll Shores. Paul also loved traveling with Anne, including amazing trips in recent years to Italy, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons National Parks, as well as cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean.

Many of those who visited him in his final days described Paul as the “finest” person they knew. Paul will be fondly remembered for his willingness to help people, his work ethic in his personal and professional life, his analytical mind and problem-solving ability, and his unmatched love for his family.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Anne; children, Mike Frongello (Eva), Matt Frongello, and Robbie Frongello (Stephanie); grandchildren, MJ Frongello, Davidson Frongello, Margot Frongello, and Luna Frongello; siblings, Mark Frongello (Christina) and Gregory Frongello; sister-in-law Giselle Pastor Garcia (Jorge); mother-in-law Mercy Pastor; and nieces Meghan Frongello Leatherwood (Will), Christina Garcia, Alex Garcia Garneau (Greg), Emily Frongello, and Madison Frongello. His family would like to thank all their friends for their support during this time.

A memorial service will be held Friday, August 16, at 4:00pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, with a reception following.

Memorial contributions in honor of Paul may be made to The V Foundation for Cancer Research (https://www.v.org/) or 5 for the Fight (https://www.5forthefight.org/), both of which support cancer research.

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below. Brown-Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the Frongello family.