Frank J. DeRango

Frank John DeRango, 97, was born in Chicago on August 19, 1927, to John and Philomena G. DeRango, both of whom had immigrated to America from Calabria, Italy. Frank was the second of three children – Mary, Frank and Ernest. He passed away at home in Tampa, FL on October 18, 2024.

Frank grew up in urban Chicago and recalls being a newspaper boy on the corners of the bustling city. He served in the U.S. Navy in San Diego and Parris Island, SC, and attended the University of Illinois and medical school in Champagne-Urbana. While a medical resident in Chicago, Frank was fixed up on a blind date with Audrey Louise Evans, a graduate student in physical therapy at Northwestern University. They were married on June 20, 1953 in Westmont, IL.

Frank started his family medical practice in Macomb, Illinois, and together the couple raised four children born between 1955 and 1960 – Judy, Dan, David and Donna. The family moved to Plantation, Florida in summer 1968, and upon completion of his residency in Anesthesia in Miami, the family moved to Naples, Florida in 1970.

Frank joined an existing practice and soon thereafter became Chief of Anesthesiology. He established Naples Community Hospital’s first intensive care capabilities. In 1989, the couple completed construction of their home on Crayton Road. They lived in this house for 32 years.

Dr. DeRango spent his retirement as a member of the Vineyards, and volunteer docent at The Phil / Artis in Naples for 20 years. Frank and Audrey traveled around the globe, and spent summers in Santa Fe, NM, where Frank took classes at St. Johns College and enjoyed golf at Quail Run. The family gathered in summer on Captiva Island, FL.

Frank and Audrey relocated to Canterbury Tower, Tampa, FL in 2021. Audrey passed away in July 2023 at the age of 94. The family is very appreciative of Aegean Home Health Care, who provided loving care until his passing. He will be remembered for his generosity, his love of education and dedication to learning, his joy when offering ice cream to grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and his favorite cap.

Dr. DeRango is survived by his four children, Judy DeRango Wicks (Alan), Atlanta; Daniel DeRango (Joan), Maitland, FL; David DeRango, St. Petersburg, FL; and Donna DeRango Colby (Alfred), Tampa, FL; eight grandchildren Elizabeth Colby Locke (Daniel), John Winston Colby (Hannah), Margaret Colby, Rachelann DeRango Davenport (Dominique), Drake DeRango (Ashleigh), Raleigh DeRango George (Aaren), Dane DeRango and Rory Frances Morris, 13 great-grandchildren, and beloved nieces and nephews.

A private memorial will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to educational scholarships for women via the P.E.O. Foundation – Audrey E. DeRango scholarship, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312.