Frank Cirillo

Frank Albert Cirillo, Sr., 86, of Gloversville, passed into the arms of Our Lord, peacefully, on Wednesday evening, July 11, 2012, with family at his side. He was born on August 5, 1925 in Gloversville, NY, son of Peter Cirillo, Sr. and Rose Montanaro Cirillo Mezza. He attended Gloversville High School until he entered the United States Army on November 10, 1943. Frank was among those serving the military services that were sent to Normandy for D-Day on June 6, 1944. He served as a rifleman and as a messenger runner. His regiment eventually moved on to St. Lo and took that town on July 19, 1944. Though he served well and proudly in the United States Army, Frank spoke little about his military experience until he became involved in the Veterans project during the early 2000's and he became a member of the Veterans Memorial Committee, which planned and raised financing for the World War II Memorial on Kingsboro Avenue in Gloversville. Honorably discharged from the Army as Technician Fifth Grade and member of Company E 175th Infantry, he returned home, where he met the love of his life, Dottie Dorothy E. Perrone, out on the dance floor at the Sherman's pavilion at Caroga Lake. They married at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Gloversville on January 23, 1949. Frank attended Optical School in Brooklyn, New York, but this was abbreviated by his effort to support his family. After working numerous and varied jobs, he became a licensed optician through completion of various courses and an apprenticeship under Dr. Joseph Melita, then of Johnstown. Frank went on to work as a successful optician in Glens Falls, Cobleskill, and Fort Plain until he eventually managed Littlewood Optical, which later became Amsterdam Optical Center Dinapoli's in Amsterdam. For several years, Frank was assisted by his wife, Dottie, who worked alongside him as the office receptionist. They retired about 1995. Together, he and Dottie shared a wonderful marriage, blessed and full with children and grandchildren, precious and enduring for 57 years. They were both Roman Catholic, strong in their devotion to God, and lived with faith and prayer throughout all their days, together. They were devout parishioners of Church of the Holy Spirit Church formerly, St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church in Gloversville. Frank most enjoyed his time with his wife, Dottie. They forged an inseparable love, sealed with great respect and affection toward one another, which they carried forward to their family, especially their children, parents and siblings. Dancing with Dottie was at the top of Frank's list of special things to do. Together, they enjoyed a wide circle of family and friends, and they also loved traveling to many places throughout the country and Europe. Their last trip took them back to St. Lo, where Frank had served in the military and had found a small cross that he had carried with him throughout the remainder of his service and whenever he and Dottie traveled. He had found the cross on a dresser he found still standing amid the war-torn ruins of a destroyed house in St. Lo. During his school and young adult years, Frank enjoyed some athletic success on the basketball court. He continued to enjoy sports, turning to golf for a good number of years. He and Dottie worked hard at planning and building their home, keeping it up and tending their gardens. They loved their neighbors and enjoyed many good times with them. Frank was predeceased by his loving wife, Dorothy E. Perrone Cirillo, who passed away in 2006. Frank is survived by his loving children, Sandra Peters and her husband William Peters of Gloversville, NY, Frank A. Cirillo, Jr. and his wife, Cindy Cirillo, of Delmar, NY, and Nancy Mascardi and her husband, Vincent Mascardi, of Gloversville, NY. He also leaves his loving grandchildren, Sarah Peters Adam Barnhart, Ryan Peters, Alicia Mascardi Patrick Tallon and Jessica Cirillo, as well as his Great Grandchildren, Rose Barnhart, Luke Barnhart, and Adriana Tallon. He also leaves his faithful and loving sister, Connie Simonds of Gloversville, who spent numerous special days with him these last several years. He is predeceased by his brother, Joseph Cirillo, Sr., formerly of Gloversville. He is also survived by a brother, Peter Cirillo, Jr. of Johnstown, and a stepsister, Patricia Bender of Johnstown. His life was rich with family and special friends, nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins, so many not mentioned but loved and thanked for their support during the past few years. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at the Kobuskie-Konik Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, followed by a prayer service at 12:15 p.m. at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Holy Spirit at 149 South Main Street, Gloversville at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Johnstown with military honors. The family would like to thank the many caring and loving professionals at the former Fulton County Residential Health Care Facility now, Fulton Center, as they cared for Frank with much love and kindness as he struggled hard, yet often valiantly, against Alzheimer's Disease. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, Pine West Plaza, Building 4 Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205 or to the Church of the Holy Spirit, 149 South Main Street, Gloversville, NY 12078 may be made in memory of Frank. Please visit the family's online guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com