Frank Arrigo

Francesco Arrigo was born on August 23, 1921 in Sicily. He arrived to Ellis Island with his parents as a very young boy and grew up in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Frank, as he was called by his family and friends, never met a stranger. He was a “neighborhood kid” and when not in school ran around with his crew all over the streets of Boston. Frank was an adventurous young man who loved to watch the Red Sox and Patriots play any game he could get into, and sometimes sneak into like he regularly did to watch movies in the theater. As a kid, Frank always worked any job he could find to earn a few nickels, including collecting newspapers. He chose to attend a high school in Boston that taught him his greatest skill, passion, and pride: aviation mechanics. Frank volunteered his services to the Army Air Corps when he voluntarily enlisted.

Prior to leaving for basic training, Frank's sister Mamie introduced him to a lovely young lady from the other side of Boston who would, by a happy chance, re-enter his life in a few years. Frank traveled across our country and world during his time of service, most notably to Memphis and New Orleans, and across Europe and Asia during World War II. Frank was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1946, and as he told the story, he tore his uniform off and dropped all of his bags to the ground by the time he had run up the flight of stairs to his family’s second story home in Boston. Soon after his return from the War Frank was reintroduced to the love of his life, Lucy, at a wedding and they immediately began dating. Frank and Lucy were married for 70 years before his passing on January 8, 2019.

Frank and Lucy settled down in Stoughton, Massachusetts where he worked as a welder in the New England area until his retirement. They enjoyed vacationing in Kennebunkport, Maine every summer, spending time at the beach, attending air shows together, and of course, their yearly expedition to Florida for the winter after Frank retired. In testament to the dedication and love of their grandchildren, Frank and Lucy moved to Boca Raton, Florida in 1994 to be closer to them and permanently escape the cold New England winters. Over the past 20 years Frank served as Lucy's chauffeur, driving her to her weekly hair and nail appointments, all of their doctor's appointments, errands, and outings. He was typically seen with her purse in one hand and holding hers in the other. Frank lived for Lucy.

Frank leaves a lasting legacy behind to his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends across the country to honor his memory. This legacy will be honored every time a fighter jet flies overhead, especially a WWII era plane. Every time an afternoon drink of “medicine” is poured two-fingers-full (pinky and pointer fingers, of course) into a highball glass. Every time our National Anthem or The Wind Beneath My Wings play out loud or in our hearts. Frank’s legacy includes an unwavering moral compass, lots of yelling at the tv during football games and motorsport races. His grandkids will never hear Willie Nelson’s On The Road Again without immediately hearing their Nono hum or whistle the tune. His kids will never look at a well-tended backyard garden, especially when a carefully placed bathtub of St. Francis is present, without immediately being transported in their minds to their father’s many gardens over the years. His friends will always think of Frank when they see a shiny Cadillac or Buick. And most of all, his beloved wife Lucy. We will all honor his legacy of love, honor, and commitment as we care for her as lovingly, patiently, and wholeheartedly as he did for so many years.

Frank leaves behind his sister Anne, beloved wife Lucy, children Francis and Susan (Jim), beloved grandchildren Mark, Angela, and Caroline, as well as great-grandchildren Alexandra, Cecilia, namesake Francesca, Edward, Matthew, and Willow. Frank’s passing will be felt by so many more people than just his immediate family. The ladies at Publix, the pharmacy, the hair salon, nail salon, every doctor’s office he and Lucy ever visited. Frank always left a lasting impression of kindness and love for his family and friends everywhere he traveled. The kindness and love that Frank brought to every place he went will be greatly missed for a very, very long time.