Francis Anthony DiPinto

Francis “Frank” Anthony DiPinto, was 76 years old when he passed away in his South Yarmouth home, surrounded by the love of his family, after a brief and valiant battle with cancer. He worked for Stop and Shop for 45 years. He started his career in Connecticut as a clerk in the produce department and worked his way up to store manager and produce specialist. He accepted the role of assistant store manager when he moved to the Cape in 1987. He was well known for a friendly “how you doin’” and snagging his coworkers for a cup of coffee. Frank was married to the lovely Carolyn Andruszkiewicz for 57 years and they had four amazing children.

Over the years, he enjoyed a wide range of hobbies. Frank loved to camp, starting with a humble pop-up, moving onto a 28ft trailer and eventually a snazzy mobile home that he and Carolyn would enjoy after his retirement. His attention to detail made for great skills in woodworking, remodeling his homes and maintenance of the most impeccable yard in his neighborhood. If that wasn’t enough, Frank whirled his magic when he refurbished old cars. He liked to show off his hard work at local car shows as a member of Cape Cod Classic Car Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents Vito and Annie DiPinto, and two brothers named Nicholas. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, his children Debbie Johnson, Steven DiPinto, Laura Bortolotti, and Michael DiPinto, sister Marie Tirinzoni and brother Vito DiPinto Jr. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and cousins. Frank had many, many friends and family, of whom he truly loved and treasured. He will be remembered as strong, brave, funny, and particular.

The wake will take place on Tuesday August 28, 2018, from 4-7pm at Doane, Beal and Ames on Rt 134 in South Dennis, MA. The funeral will take place on Wednesday August 29, 2018, 11am at St. Pious X church on Station Avenue in South Yarmouth, MA.

In lieu of flowers donations in Frank's memory may be made to Hope Hospice, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601; or the American Cancer Society, 125 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.

For online condolences please visit www.doanebealames.com.

Frank's Eulogy:

My Grandpa Frank, or “Grandfather Francis” as I’d call him when he was feeling especially sassy, was successful not only in business, but in life in general. You see, the day he was born, he earned a promotion. It was one for the books. February 4th, 1942, Vito and Annie DiPinto promoted him to “son”. My bad, he earned two promotions that day, because he also earned the title of “brother” to Uncle Vito and Auntie Marie.

He grew up playing baseball, ring-around-the-rosie, and incredibly intense games of Red Rover. Those “city slickers” would visit their mother’s side of the family in Windsor Locks, all gussied up in their best clothes, and enjoy the delicacies of almonds, figs, and other treats sent to them from Italy by their father’s side of the family. He picked up some more promotions throughout this time; cousin, nephew, friend, trumpeter and bugler with the Raiders marching band, student, and hoarder of the coveted Wonder Bread.

When he was 11, he earned his next promotion, “employee” at Sorellie’s, a small corner grocer, where he worked for the next five years. You see, even at a young age, Grandpa Frank was destined to take over the produce world. He wasn’t afraid of hard work and strove to give his best. That’s why when he was 19, Sears was ready to make an exception to their own policy to have him all to themselves. Unfortunately for them, Stop and Shop won the epic battle, and he went right on earning promotion after promotion with them. Seeing his potential, they kept on throwing those suckers at him! He went from clerk, to assistant manager, department manager, and produce specialist in Connecticut. When he moved to the Cape he continued as an assistant store manager for the company. Everyone knew Frank DiPinto, and in my mind I see him as the Godfather of Stop and Shop, with a friendly “how you doin’” and a “come on, let’s get a cup of coffee”.

While he shined in the business world, he earned so many more precious promotions, like uncle and brother-in-law, they accumulated in spectacular fashion. This one time, he met this beautiful young lady. In typical Frank fashion, he set his sights on her, married that Carolyn Andruszkiewicz, and earned the promotion to husband, of which he proudly held onto for 57 years. Then came the next big advancement in 1963, when he was promoted to father with his daughter Debbie. He loved that one so much, he did it again with Uncle Steve, and again with Auntie Laura and again with Uncle Mike. If you thought he liked that title of father, wait until you saw what he did with his next promotion. 1985 kicked off an exciting adventure into the wild world of grandfatherhood. I can proudly say that the twelve of us really kept him on his toes. And if that wasn’t fun enough, some of us went ahead and promoted him to great-grandfather eight times over because, you know, the more the merrier.

My Grandpa was a wise man, a strong man, a man who would go as far as to cut down a tree to make sure he got his point across. He taught me that handmade gifts can be enjoyed in multiple ways, even if most of that enjoyment comes years down the line when you’re telling the story about a certain pair of clay dice. He taught me that being stubborn is a good thing, not only does it help you stand your ground, it also comes in super handy when you’re trying to accomplish some big hefty goals. He taught me that hobbies can be learned and enjoyed at any period of your life, and that it’s okay to show off all that hard work. He taught me that even when life throws some manure at you, do not forget step three in lawn care, because even when things get tough, at least you’ll have the best lawn in the neighborhood. He taught me that anywhere is the best place for a nap, and that practical jokes really bring a family together. Without him, I wouldn’t know that when faced with a sea of seemingly identical teddy bears, you really need to look closely, because each one has a slightly different face, which both complicated the decision-making process and produced the most adorable choice. Most of all, he taught me to believe in yourself, because just when you think you couldn’t possibly have the strength to do something this big and scary, he knew better.

So, to say I’m going to miss my Papi Calvo, my Grandfather Francis, my Grandpa Frank, is putting it lightly.