Frank Seleno

March 22, 1928 – September 26, 2024

Frank Seleno, most recently of American House, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, passed away peacefully in the early fall morning of September 26. Blessed with 96 years of life, Frank would have been the first to tell you that life owed him nothing more.

Frank was born in Detroit, Michigan to Frank and Petrina Seleno and was the youngest of five children – one who sadly died as an infant. Frank was born one year before America’s “Great Depression” and knew how to work a dollar. He would jokingly say “I’m so cheap, I still have my first communion money.” Frank grew up on the city’s east side and graduated from Southeastern High School. During his senior year, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. Upon completion of service, Frank returned to Michigan where he would live the remainder of his life.

In June of 1951, Frank married Louise Lucy DiCresce. They were blessed with 65 years of marriage before she passed away. Frank and Louise were also blessed with four children – Anita Anderlite (Lee), Richard Seleno (Kathy), Frank Seleno, and Lori Nixon (Mark); six beautiful grandchildren – Nicole (Charlie), Kristen (Mike), Anthony, Richard T., Michael, and Luca; plus, five great grandchildren – Beatrice, Natalia, Ethan, Julius, and Clara.

When he and Louise first married, Frank was a tree trimmer. Within several years, he took a position in the accounting department of General Motors. In the early years of raising four children and working full time, Frank attended night school at Wayne State University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He eventually became a System’s Analyst with the Internal Revenue Service, and spent the remainder of his career there, retiring at the age of 60.

The years working and raising a family were busy and fulfilling. There were many family celebrations with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, Frank’s monthly card games with friends he had known since elementary school, and camping. With several other families, the Selenos took summer camping trips in northern Michigan, the New England states, and the Smoky Mountains. Frank was also the Scoutmaster of Troop 1449 for many years and a highlight was taking his troop on a two-week backpacking adventure at the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico.

When their children were mostly grown, Frank and Louise bought a modest cottage in the town of Lake City in northern Michigan. They spent many weekends, and the July 4th holidays there with friends and family and Frank enjoyed going down to the lake to fish for blue gill and perch in his small rowboat. They also travelled, visiting Italy on several occasions, including the island of Sardinia where Frank’s father was born and he still had family, along with Sicily where his mother’s family came from. They also traveled to Spain, England, China, Tibet, Canada, Hawaii, and many other destinations throughout the United States.

Frank enjoyed a host of hobbies and activities throughout his life. He always had a vegetable garden and fruit trees, earning his Master Gardener certificate after retiring. He took up jogging midlife and ran the Turkey Trot at Belle Isle for several years. He also bowled, golfed, and became a wine connoisseur with his brother, Andrew, even testing his skill at wine making. Frank was a voracious reader and always had a book or two by the side of his chair. He loved Tiger baseball, and whether watching it on T.V. or listening to it on the radio, was an active participant in the game… telling the referees what he thought of their calls and rooting for the players at bat. He also loved all kinds of music – from the Rat Pack music of his era, to rock n roll, to country and blue grass. Even in his 90s while living at American House, you could see Frank bopping his head to the live music that was brought in regularly.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.

A visitation for Frank will be held Monday, October 7, 2024, from 2 pm. to 8 p.m. at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 10 a.m., following in-state services beginning at 9 a.m., at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 21620 Greater Mack Ave., St. Clair Shores, Michigan.