Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday for Franco 'Frank' Spadafora Lexington Drive, Hermitage, who passed away peacefully at 5:15 p.m. Thursday (8-25-11) in the Cleveland Clinic with his family at his side. He was 72.

He was born on October 1, 1938 in Bianchi, Cosenza, Italy, the son of Fedele and Franceschia Elia Spadafora.

Mr. Spadafora was educated in Italy and he immigrated to the United States on November 8, 1962. Although he was proud of his heritage, he was more proud to call himself an American.

He attended Church of the Notre Dame, Hermitage, and was a former member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell. His wife of 49 years, the former Carmela Anzani whom he married in San Francesco di Paola church in Catanzaro, Italy on July 8, 1962 survives at home.

He gained employment at the Wheatland Tube Company where he worked as a laboratory technician for 37 years. He received on the job training as a chemist and metallurgist and was self taught in many areas of chemistry.

As a person full of passion and life he had many interests and hobbies. In his younger years he was very fond of painting with oils and watercolors, a hobby he took up again in his later years. As a music enthusiast, he taught himself to play accordion as a teenager. Music was always a huge source of enjoyment for him especially 50's rock and roll. He was interested in electronics and new technologies and learned how to build radios and televisions as a young adult. He was a masterful "do-it-yourselfer" who could nearly fix anything. Frank loved the outdoors and loved to garden and maintain his flowers and fruit trees. He also loved to go on camping vacations with his family for relaxation. In his later years, he maintained a winter home in Florida. He took tremendous enjoyment there where he would spend much time at the beach and going dancing with his wife. Frank was a passionate expressive person who wore his heart on his sleeve. There was no greater love for him than his!

family. His greatest love of all was having Sunday dinner with all of his children and grandchildren. He was a dedicated and loving husband and father. He was extremely proud and loving towards his grandchildren and made them his focus in his later years.

He is also survived by his mother, Franceschina Elia Spadafora, Cosenza, Italy; a son, Dr. Dale Spadafora and his wife Deanna whom he loved like a daughter ,Hermitage, a daughter, Frances Amy Spadafora Clary and her husband Scott Clary, three grandchildren, Isabella Maria and Sergio Franco Spadafora, and Domenic James Clary, Hermitage; Two brothers, Antonio Spadafora, Catanzaro, Italy, and Fernando Spadafora, Lockport, NY, two sisters Maria Spadafora , Casaletto, and Dina Spadafora Bianco, both of Cosenza Italy. He also leaves his double first cousins who were more like his brother and sister, Carmine Spadafora, Niagara Falls, Canada, and Lilliana Mucciarelli, St. Catherine's, Canada.

He was preceded in death by his Father.

Frank's life was extended by several years due to new technologies in mechanical heart support therapy. As part of a study, he was a pioneer in this research. The family is greatly thankful to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Cleveland Clinic who provided the care that gave him good quality time with us all. We are also thankful the local physicians and nurses that provided care for him throughout the years. We will not forget you.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute at: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, PO BOX 931517, Cleveland, Ohio 44193-1655

Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday (8-29-11) and from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St. Sharon.

Condolences may be sent by visiting the web site www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday (8-30-11) in the Church of Notre Dame 2325 Highland Road, Hermitage, Pa with Rev. Edward J. Zeitler, Senior Associate of Notre Dame Parish as celebrant. A procession will leave the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday for the church.