Francis J. "Frank" Vendemia of Brookfield passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, March 27, 2019, in Concord Care Center of Hartford. He was 80.

Mr. Vendemia was born September 5, 1938, in Sharon, a son of the late Pasquale V. and Angeline (DeMaio) Vendemia. A lifelong area resident, he graduated from Brookfield High School in 1956 and was recently inducted into the school's Hall of Fame for his standout performance on the varsity football team, which went undefeated in 1955.

Frank honorably served in the U.S. Army as a radar specialist during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

In 2002, Frank retired as a Master Bricklayer from the Bricklayer's Union, Local 8, Youngstown, OH, and Local 45, Warren, OH, following 50 years of employment. As a young man, he worked for the former Sharon Transformer Div. of Westinghouse Electric Corp. and General American Transportation, Corp. (GATX), Masury.

Frank was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Vienna, OH, and formerly a member of St. Bernadette's Church, Masury, OH.

He enjoyed spending time with his neighbors, bowling in several leagues and riding snowmobiles. Frank looked forward to meeting his friends every morning at C's Waffle House in Hubbard for a cup of coffee and good conversation. Above all else, Frank loved his family and cherished the time he spent with them, especially his grandchildren.

He has touched the hearts of many, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

His beloved wife, the former Patricia Ann Pollack, whom he married September 25, 1965, survives at home.

Also surviving are two daughters, Gina T. (Noot) Marek and Mindy (Todd) Piper; and a son, Frank (Heather) Vendemia, all of Brookfield; a brother, Guy (Ruth) Vendemia, Austintown, OH; three grandchildren, Chloe and Claire Vendemia and Marlaina Marek; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by a daughter, Laura Vendemia; an infant grandson, Frank J. Vendemia, Jr.; and two sisters, JoAnn Grayson and Teresa Gelety.

The family would like to thank all of the employees of Concord Care Center of Hartford, OH, for their exceptional kindness and loving care.

Calling hours will be 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday (3-31-19) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Monday (4-1-19) in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 4453 Warren - Sharon Rd, Vienna, OH 44473, with Rev. Frank Zanni, pastor, as celebrant. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church.

Interment: Brookfield Cemetery, Brookfield Twp.

Full military honors will be rendered by the West Middlesex and Farrell VFW, and Wheatland A.L. Honor Guard.