I met Frank about a quarter of a century ago, so I have only known him a quarter of his life. But I want to share with you today what I have learned about Frank Micciulli.
My mom met Frank in 2001 and they hit it off immediately. Because she was newly widowed, honestly, at first I was a little concerned. Who is this man? I asked her. She replied, you’ll meet him and when you do, you’ll like him too. And of course she was right.
Frank was strong and healthy in his mid-70s. Unlike most men his age, he had a full head of dark hair. He was smart and strong and very social like my mom. He generously took her out to dinners, to parties, to trips she never would have been able to go on if it was not for Frank. He was generous with his time as well as his money. We were especially grateful he was always willing to drive up to be with us at our family parties. Frank because a regular guest for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Easter, Mother’s Day and whatever else we all were celebrating.
At first, I referred to Frank as my mother’s boyfriend, always with a giggle that mom in her 80s and 90s would have a boyfriend. But as time went on, Frank became the only grandfather and great-grandfather my family knew. We loved him and he always showed love to us.
It was when my mom had terminal cancer when we saw Frank’s best side, his love and loyalty to mom. I remember when the hospice nurse came for her first visit. She and I discussed how this was not only affecting my mom, but also Frank. In his late 90s now, we thought watching mom die slowly of cancer would be too hard for him. So I asked him if he wanted to spend the end of her life at his son’s house because it was going to get ugly. But Frank stayed and hung in there until the end. That really meant a lot to mom and to all of us. As she faded, he helped care for her. And when she needed him the most at the end, he stayed here with her and with us and helped her pass in a good way, in her home, surrounded by our love and his love.
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| Frank at our home for holiday dinner |
Now when I introduce Frank, I introduce him as my family. Because he is. He’s our bonus grandfather and we all love him and are so delighted to celebrate his 100th birthday. I am also so grateful for his new friends here at Cedar Crest and how warm and welcoming everyone is here. Thank you!
Thank you Frank for loving us all so well. May God bless you with many more good years.
