The following was provided by Frank's brother Sam.
Frank died July 16, 2011 of pneumonia.
Frank had an operation for mouth cancer making it difficult to swallow and speak. Food would get trapped in his lungs causing pneumonia.
Frank dropped out of High School to join the Army and was stationed in Germany for three years. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was in charge of the motor pool. Frank obtained two EXPERT medals with top honors in the use of the M14 rifle and the 45 caliber pistol.
Frank worked as a foreman on high rise construction projects in Rochester until a brain aneurism stopped him. A second brain aneurism a few years later made it difficult for him to work, Frank worked for a while as a maintenance man for Genesee Memorial Hospital. He was able to attend college and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Criminology from SUNY Brockport.
Frank had a stroke that left in paralyzed on his left side and was confined to a wheel chair. He still maintained his independent spirit and would ride his chair 4 miles to a VFW. One time the battery wore down and he used one foot to push himself home. Frank was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion.
Frank was an avid hunter and fisherman, he harvested a 12 point buck with a .44 caliber pistol. I mounted it for him and he was proud to display it in every nursing home he lived in.
Frank made friends easily and was well known in the Batavia area. Frank was quick to offer his maintenance and mechanical skills to others.
Frank had three brothers, Tony, Sam and Dan who survive him.
What a nice tribute to Frank Sanfratello! I went to Brooklyn School with him in Batavia. I remember him as a nice little boy. Other boys in our class might act up, but Frank was always well behaved! Sounds like he was very motivated in spite of obstacles he encountered in life. I am sorry he had many health problems, but he didn't let his health concerns bring him down. He was a strong man, yet he sounds like such a gentle soul. I wish I would have know him better. Thank you for updating all of us with this tribute!
DEEPLY SADDENED by Frank's death. I can do no better than to refer everyone to Mary Waters Schading's 'eulogy'. Frank was a good friend to all of us at Brooklyn School. We lived on South Main and I believe Frank lived on Lyon Street. Mary on either Madison or Roosevelt. Those neighborhood schools appear to be gone for good. Really too bad. At the Terry Anderson Reunion in 1992, I was recovering from an automobile assault and Frank chased me down just prior to leaving and hugged me like a long lost brother. Now, I'm not a 'hugger' but that gesture on Frank's part helped me emotionally in my recovery. Obviously, I have never forgotten it or him!
I did not know Frank well, but my memories are very positive of an exceedingly outgoing person. As Allan recalled men do not give other men hugs, and that is too bad. That is the spirit I remember of Frank, that he cared!
Paul Minor
The following was provided by Frank's brother Sam.
Frank died July 16, 2011 of pneumonia.
Frank had an operation for mouth cancer making it difficult to swallow and speak. Food would get trapped in his lungs causing pneumonia.
Frank dropped out of High School to join the Army and was stationed in Germany for three years. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was in charge of the motor pool. Frank obtained two EXPERT medals with top honors in the use of the M14 rifle and the 45 caliber pistol.
Frank worked as a foreman on high rise construction projects in Rochester until a brain aneurism stopped him. A second brain aneurism a few years later made it difficult for him to work, Frank worked for a while as a maintenance man for Genesee Memorial Hospital. He was able to attend college and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Criminology from SUNY Brockport.
Frank had a stroke that left in paralyzed on his left side and was confined to a wheel chair. He still maintained his independent spirit and would ride his chair 4 miles to a VFW. One time the battery wore down and he used one foot to push himself home. Frank was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion.
Frank was an avid hunter and fisherman, he harvested a 12 point buck with a .44 caliber pistol. I mounted it for him and he was proud to display it in every nursing home he lived in.
Frank made friends easily and was well known in the Batavia area. Frank was quick to offer his maintenance and mechanical skills to others.
Frank had three brothers, Tony, Sam and Dan who survive him.
He is missed by his family and friends.
Merry L Waters (Schading)
What a nice tribute to Frank Sanfratello! I went to Brooklyn School with him in Batavia. I remember him as a nice little boy. Other boys in our class might act up, but Frank was always well behaved! Sounds like he was very motivated in spite of obstacles he encountered in life. I am sorry he had many health problems, but he didn't let his health concerns bring him down. He was a strong man, yet he sounds like such a gentle soul. I wish I would have know him better. Thank you for updating all of us with this tribute!
Allen B Chatt
DEEPLY SADDENED by Frank's death. I can do no better than to refer everyone to Mary Waters Schading's 'eulogy'. Frank was a good friend to all of us at Brooklyn School. We lived on South Main and I believe Frank lived on Lyon Street. Mary on either Madison or Roosevelt. Those neighborhood schools appear to be gone for good. Really too bad. At the Terry Anderson Reunion in 1992, I was recovering from an automobile assault and Frank chased me down just prior to leaving and hugged me like a long lost brother. Now, I'm not a 'hugger' but that gesture on Frank's part helped me emotionally in my recovery. Obviously, I have never forgotten it or him!
Robert E Dietrich
I did not know Frank well, but my memories are very positive of an exceedingly outgoing person. As Allan recalled men do not give other men hugs, and that is too bad. That is the spirit I remember of Frank, that he cared!