Frank and I are first cousins of the same age.We spent many hours together at family events and gatherings with our multitude of cousins , aunts, uncles , parents and grandparents in large Italian families. We had the good fortune to grow up in the golden era of the 1950's.
We built a baseball diamond complete with a chicken wire backstop on the Rossi property on Henry St. Many of our classmates from St Joe's and St Stephen's regularly rode our bikes for a couple of miles and played ball for hours ( Pre Electronic Screen America).
We caddied at Black River CC and played a lot of golf there. The Rossi brothers were scratch golfers and my 26 lifelong handicap provided several laughs at Monday Caddies Day golf.
We finished grade schools and joined many friends at St Stephens High School for 4 memorable years that could have served as the set for "Happy Days" ( Google it). We played 3 varsity sports together for 3 years.
Our teams were successful and Frank was a major part of it.
Frank and Joan were a perfect couple with many friends.
They are missed.
R.I.P.
Cousin Mike DeLuca