He was born on the 5th of November 1954, to Salvatore and Rose Brancato Panebianco in Paterson, New Jersey. Frank attended Stevens Institute of Technology, earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and where he played college basketball. He went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University. Later, Frank also earned an MBA from the University of Houston.
Upon graduation from Cornell, in 1978, he began a long and successful career with Exxon Chemical Company, retiring as an executive with ExxonMobil Chemical after 33 years with the company. He was fortunate to work with not only ExxonMobil Chemical, but also with Exxon Company, U.S.A., Exxon Corporation, and ExxonMobil Gas Marketing. He was on the Board of Directors, and served as President, of Enco Oil and Gas company. Throughout his career, he found his work challenging and rewarding. His time with ExxonMobil afforded him the opportunity to travel extensively around the world. Frank enthusiastically served as the 2005 ExxonMobil United Way Central Campaign Chairperson, leading the company to a then-record breaking contribution to United Way. After retirement, he and a friend formed a small consulting partnership that he enjoyed developing.
Frank used his gifts of mentorship, teaching, and patience to serve others in the
Houston community, volunteering his time to tutor math at Yellowstone Academy and Star of Hope Mission. Over the years, he also was eager to support young professionals in any way he could as they launched their careers. For several years, Frank taught in the 3 year old Sunday school class at church. He enjoyed running, walking, and cheering for Houston’s sports teams immensely. Following NCAA basketball, and attending the playoffs and Final Four with daughter Claire, were literally his favorite pasttime. His retirement allowed him to spend a great deal of time with loved ones, to work on improving his golf game, to volunteer in the organizations he cared passionately about, and to take on new hobbies. He continued to travel, to share new experiences and create memories with his family, never shying away from an adventure. Frank was especially proud of Claire, and loved being involved with her activities, where he coached, supported from the sidelines, and volunteered actively in all of her church and school activities. For several years he coordinated judges for her school science fairs and found serving on St. Agnes Academy’s Board of Directors especially fulfilling. He was an active member of Lakeside Country Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rose (Brancato) and Salvatore Panebianco. Frank is survived by his wife of 26 years, Carolyn Shoaf Panebianco, and daughter Julia Claire Panebianco, of Houston. He is also survived by his sisters, Tina Bajrami (Lee) and Joyce O’Sullivan (Daniel). Frank also leaves behind nephews Adem Bajrami, Lee Bajrami (Kristin), and Steven O’Sullivan (Amy); niece Melanie O’Sullivan, and great-niece Ava Bajrami, as well as numerous extended family members (both in the US and in Sicily) and loved ones.
Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Frank during a visitation to be held from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 28th of June, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
The memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 29th of June, in the sanctuary at West University Baptist Church, 6218 Auden Street in Houston, where Dr. Roger Patterson is to officiate.
Prior to the memorial service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.
Serving as honorary pallbearers are Adem Bajrami, Lee Bajrami, Steven O’Sullivan, Robert Theobald, and his close friends, Richard Weissman, and Chris Dick.
If desired, memorial contributions in Frank’s memory may be made to The Boys and Girls Club of Paterson, New Jersey, 264 21st Ave., Paterson, NJ 07501; or to Star of Hope Mission, Doris and Carloss Morris Men’s Development Center, 1811 Ruiz St., Houston, TX 77002; or to the charity of one’s choice.
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