Frank J. Cautela

Frank James Cautela, age 77, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Frank was born in Columbus, Ohio on June 4, 1949 to the late Henry & Augustine (Macaluso) Cautela. Frank is also preceded in death by his grandparents Frank & Bessie Macaluso. He was a 1967 graduate from Watterson High School. Frank started working at Macaluso Fruit Co. at a very young age. The family business was founded by his great grandfather and kept in the family for 4 generations. Frank was a horse racing enthusiast who was both an owner and a driver. Frank loved football, especially the Buckeyes, and enjoyed the thrill of a good bet. He was a generous man with a huge heart, and above all, he loved his family.

He will be deeply missed by his children: Karen (David) Santisi and her mother, Pam McDowell; and Frank D. Cautela, Kelsey Cautela (fiancée Lauren Rose Spicer), and their mother, Debbie Cautela. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Sara Santisi (Steven Marchionda) and David Santisi Jr. (fiancée Allison Gosling); his sister, Carita (Joe) Failla; his brother, Michael Cautela; and his nephews, Joe and Jeff Failla.

Visitation will be held Sunday, October 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. at SCHOEDINGER DUBLIN, 5980 Perimeter Drive, Dublin, Ohio. A funeral service will take place Monday, October 5, at 11 a.m. at St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Church, 7179 Avery Road, Dublin, Ohio.

Please visit https://frankjamescautela.com to share memories and condolences.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program. https://www.horseadoption.com/donate_detail/9