Frank Siano

He was born on June 19, 1953 in South Amboy, NJ to his parents Joseph P. Siano Sr. and MaryAnn (DiMaiolo) Siano.

On July 15, 2010 in Provincetown, MA, he married his beloved husband, Michael Allen Tucker of St. Louis, Missouri who survives. Together, they traveled the world and experienced as much of what life had to offer as was possible.

Frank was known for his warmth, jovial spirit, and ability to bring divergent people together to create positive impact. He spent more than 30 years in the healthcare industry. His personal passion was helping organizations understand how social determinants could improve outcomes, but his skills and impact were vast. Through his work, he helped countless individuals as well as organizations and the people they serve. Frank leaves behind swaths of nonprofits and community groups who looked to him as a guide. He spent his life advocating for better health outcomes and social justice through all aspects of his work, and his loss leaves a significant hole for many friends and organizations across the country, but especially in the greater St. Louis area.

It is worth noting even here that Frank’s cooking was second to none. Anyone who was graced by his decadent mashed potatoes or robust Italian recipes knows that some people just have magic in their cooking. However Frank’s food was only a representation of the love and zest he had for life and service to others. In and out of the kitchen, he was always willing to lend a helping hand and a cheerful heart.

Frank graduated from Raritan High School in New Jersey. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and his master’s degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. As a young man, his name became synonymous with Equality for the LGBTQ community. Watching many of his early friends succumb to HIV/AIDS, Frank was instrumental in helping build St. Louis Effort for Aids. Upon his return from the 1982 LGBT March on Washington, he along with five others from the St. Louis area created and grew the St. Louis Chapter of the Human Rights Campaign. For six years, Frank served on the National Board of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. He has served on numerous boards, including Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri and Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region. These are but a sampling of Frank’s involvement to insure a better future for future generations.

Frank is survived by sister, Rosemarie DePalma and her husband Patrick; brother, Joseph P. Siano and his wife Deborah; nephew, Patrick DePalma; two nieces, Christine Hedglin and Cari Ann DePalma; and four great-nephews, PJ DePalma, Dylan DePalma, Colby Hedglin, and Dillan Hedglin - all of Hazlet, NJ. He is also survived by an extensive family of in-laws who loved him as their own son, brother, uncle, and great-uncle. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Madeline Siano Edwards.

A Celebration of Life event is planned for August 22nd, 2021 (from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm) at Orlando Gardens Banquet Center located at 4300 Hoffmeister Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63125.

In remembrance of Frank’s life and extensive impact, memorial tributes may be made in his honor to The Human Rights Campaign, Promo (Missouri’s statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization), Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis region, or Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.