Frank Campise (Papa) passed away peacefully on Sunday March 22, 2020 at the age of 80. Frank was born October 21, 1939 in Dallas, TX to Carlo and Frances (Salvaggio) Campisi(e). He attended Jesuit Dallas and graduated from North Dallas High School.
Frank married his high school sweetheart, Lucy Rose Mentesana on September 25, 1960; they were married 59 years. Frank is a veteran of the Army Reserves and served during the Berlin Missile Crisis at Ft. Polk, Louisiana.
Frank’s lifetime career in the produce industry lead him to be called the “Produce Marketing Guru” by Ben E. Keith due to his expansive and well-respected industry knowledge. He was also considered an Honorary Member of the Dallas & Ft. Worth Chapters of the Texas Chef’s Association. There were many close and cherished work relationships through the years with dear friends and colleagues Jack Bretszkey and Paul Rothe to name just a couple. Frank was very proud of the wonderful Ben E. Keith Foods family in the Dallas and Fort Worth offices.
His passions in life were his faith, family, cooking and Dallas sports. Until his passing, Frank loved hosting gourmet Sunday lunches for all his children, grand-children and “anyone who happened to drop in”. He would spend Saturday and Sunday in the kitchen meticulously preparing beautiful and delicious meals while blasting Nora Jones, Andre Bocelli, Chris Botti and The Platter’s (just to name a few). We will never forget nor compete with producing his incredible 3 and 4 meat entree lunches.
Frank belonged to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic church and served as an usher, assisted at weekday mass and visited the sick. Frank was a Third-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus #799. He instilled the love of God and a steadfast work ethic in his family. Papa cared deeply for his family and would move heaven and earth to help them. While away at college, all his grandkids looked forward to one or two weekly phone calls from Papa checking on their activities, tests and well-being. We will miss overhearing his daily phone calls with cousin Sam LaBarba and visits with Sam’s sister Ann Todora rehashing family memories.
Frank is survived by his devoted wife Lucy Rose Mentesana Campise, daughter Mary Frances Campise Archer, husband Mike; sons Tony Campise, wife Kim; and Frank Campise, Jr., wife Carol; grandchildren Laura Archer Haecker, husband Jeff; Joanna Archer, Anthony Campise, wife Grace; Joseph Campise, Sarah Archer, Nicholas Campise, and Ross Campise; great grandchildren Gianna Rose Haecker, Margaret Elizabeth Campise, and Oliver Michael Haecker. He is also survived by his sister Mary Lucido and brother-in-law Larry Lucido, as well as, many nieces and nephews.
The family wants to thank Visiting Angel Olivia Rose Lee for six years of devoted service and the Tuesday morning prayer group ladies’ comradery he enjoyed as a member of the Lord’s Circle of Love Prayer Group which conveniently met in their home for 40+ years.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions by the city of Dallas, only immediate family will be attending the funeral service. However, a Memorial Mass and luncheon will be held at a future date for family, friends, and others whose lives Frank touched to reminisce and celebrate the blessings and fullness of his life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following charities in memory of Frank:
Discalced Carmelite Nuns, 600 Flowers Ave., Dallas, TX 75211
St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 6306 Kenwood Ave., Dallas, TX 75214 (checks payable to STA SVdP)
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
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