Frank Stava Obituary

Seems like yesterday that you were helping us paint our home and update our bathroom. You were amazing at home makeovers before they were even a thing!
Thank you for sharing your talents and your sense of humor!
You would just love being with your great-nieces and great-nephews, seeing all of their talents unfold!!
Twenty more years flew by and we all still miss you and hold you deeply in our hearts, forever, Frank!
Love and hugs,
Deb, Joel and Family
xoxo :´-) <3

Frank, you are in my heart forever; love and miss you.

Frank, we were besties for many years when I lived in Chicago. You came to my 10 year high school reunion...we had a great time. I miss you and think about you often. I'm just sad I didn't get to say goodbye.

Ten years today! the time has sped by; think of you often with fond memories. Love you Frank!

Happy 60th! Love you and miss you forever.

I spent the day yesterday with Frank in my thoughts and memories and it was nice. I often wonder what he would think or say about a certain situation and miss his brillient comments!

Frank was a great roommate for the 16-17 years we shared a bedroom until he went off to college. He was always funny and had a unique way of looking at things. I'll pray extra for my older brother today, and regularly in the future. I remember fondly the many funny stories that only Frank could tell. Frank had many sides, but what I'll take with me is that he was a great guy and a fun older brother who I will always love.

Frank, time passes but you live on forever in my heart.
Love,
Sue

Frank,
You are never far from our thoughts. Although you are gone 8 years you gave us a lifetime of memories. "Am I right or am I right?".....

you changed our lives forever and you are forever in our hearts..... we miss you dearly, frank~~ xoxo

Another years passes without you; love and miss you! Frank you are forever young! xoxo

We enjoy thinking of Frank and his particular Frank-ism's. He will never be forgotten. Am I right or am I right?
Love and miss you Frank--you are always in my mind.

Rick and I can't believe that Frank has been gone for 7 years. We miss your one of kind humor and we are sure that you have everyone in heaven laughing!

Frank,
It's hard to believe that you are gone 7 years. Think of you very often with good memories. Love you and miss you!
xoxo Sue

Frank,
Mom and I were at sea on your birthday; but you are forever in our thoughts and we miss you!
Love, Sue

Frank,
Thinking of you today. We are in Florida for the winter. Went to a rummage sale with Mom and Tom yesterday. Didn't get anything! We love you and miss you. Can't believe you are gone 6 years! Love, Sue

Dearest Frank,
Can it really be five years that you are gone from us. I still feel your presence in so many events that Tom & I do in our daily lives.
You made us Floridians and we now still see and do things that the three of us enjoyed together.
We still pray for you at Our Lady of Grace in St. Pete and then stop for breakfast at Daves.
Today, with Sue & Arnold we enjoyed a rummage sale. We all had our thoughts of you today.
We know you are with God and will pray for us, so that some day will meet and be together forever.
Love, Mom

5 years~ *sigh* ~ and you are still near in heart, frank! you were a great and helpful brother-in-law, (even helped me train and run a 1/2 marathon in your honor!!!), and a terrific uncle to the kids! thanks for all the laughs and fun! (am i right, or am i right? ;-) ...xo)
love forever,
deb xo :'-)

I have fond and vivid memories of Uncle Frank, even after a short 5 years that also seems too long. It's a testament to his memory that he is remembered and loved so much by our family to this day.

I can't believe we've been without Frank for 5 years. It's not the same, I wish I had the chance for one more phone call, one more talk and one more laugh or cry together. Frank's view on life is sadly missed by all of us.
Mary

Frank,
Missing you today as always. 5 years has raced by. Arnie & I are now are in Florida. We have such great memories and you will live in our hearts forever.
Love forever,
Sue
xoxo

Happy 54th birthday! Love you and will miss you forever

Frank,
Thinking about you; as I do everyday. Love you forever,
Sue

Happy 53rd Birthday! Missing you like always and wish you were still here with us.
Love forever,
Sue

Frank,

Two years today: a day does not go by that I do not miss you deeply.

With my love and hugs forever.

Your sister Sue

Frank,

Happy 52nd Birthday! Everyday I think of you of you with much love and affection; miss you and wish you were still with us.

Frank,

We are starting another year without you. I think of you everyday; love you and miss you.

I just received the Benet news and was very saddened to hear about the passing of Frank. I remember him very well. What I recalled the most was when Frank and Mary would ride the bus to Benet with me and my brother Joe. He lived real close to us and I remember he would show me his house as we passed it. What I remeber is that Frank was the most calming kid I new at that time. He wasn't loud and routy like me or my brother. We used to talk on the bus sometimes...even if it was just casual. He was very well behaved and kind. Mary, I am sorry for you and your family's loss. If you remember me. (I was called "Patti" '72 and my brother was called "Joey" '73. Our older brother, John "63 went to Proco. John passed away at age 47 in 1990. We miss him dearly.My parents are both gone and Joe lives in FL. My prayers remain with you. Patricia

Frank,

It's hard to believe you have been gone from us for a year. I think of you everyday and miss you more than words can say.

With love, hugs, kisses & prayers forever,

Sue

xoxoxoxo

Frank,

We love you and miss you. I think of you and miss you everyday. Friday, January 28th we especially felt your loss on your 51st birthday & I missed being in Florida with you for your birthday.

Love forever,

This is Frank's eulogy written by Mary and delivered by Al at the funeral Mass.



Memories of Frank



Good Morning friends and family,

Thanks for being here today to help us celebrate Frank’s life. His faith became very important to him in the past few years and sustained him through some very tough times so I know he is happy to receive all of our prayers and the church’s blessings today. Frank spent many hours meditating and praying and was very serene and loving as he faced his last days. It is fitting that Frank’s mass is celebrated in the church where he was baptized and confirmed, sang in the choir at Midnight Mass, served as an alter boy and played the organ.

All of us know that Frank was a very complicated and multi-faceted individual. He shared different parts of himself and his life with different people and will be remembered by each and every one of us in a unique way.

First of all, Frank had a very lively sense of humor featuring a sharp and biting wit. I hope you laugh now when you think about it because he would if he were here.

It felt good to make Frank laugh, because when you did, you knew you had reached his very high standards for joking. And laughter and joking around was very important to Frank. In this very church the young Frank had many laughing attacks and even succumbed to a laughing attack during Auntie Mayme’s funeral brought on by the operatic rendering of the Ave Maria. Frank the altar boy loved to serve at funerals and even had a story to tell of a laughing spree during a funeral he was serving. He hoped no one saw the altar boy with his face covered up shaking on the altar!

Frank was the family historian and storyteller. It was Frank who could remember which nun at St. Mary’s taught the classic songs “Cousin Jedadiah” and “Something on the Rail and it Ain’t No Lizard” in music class. His memory was long and excellent so it was no use trying to deny it when Frank remembered a specific detail of Stava-lore that we all wished forgotten! His excellent memory skills would serve him well as his eyesight failed and he committed daily activities and books on tape to memory.

Frank was a lifetime learner who continued to learn both informally and formally his entire life. He was a voracious reader who transferred his love of the written word to hearing it on tape when he could no longer read. He was a Germanophile who never lost interest in the language, history or culture after spending time there during his college years. And he returned to school to work on a degree at the University of South Florida and was 1 semester from receiving his International Affairs degree when he became too ill to continue last year.

Frank, the bon vivant, was a connoisseur of all the fine things life had to offer. He worked at the finest of restaurants in Chicago and New York and loved to introduce his family and friends to such luxuries as the $100 bottle of wine, the “Tanquaray Gibson up with an anchovy olive” and his friend Hermanes’ recipe for the perfect pate.

Although he loved all fine things, Frank the shopper was the happiest when he found a thrift store or resale shop treasure. Many a conversation started with, “I was out junkin” or “You’ll never guess what I found…, but don’t tell Mom because then she’ll want it.” Of course, he told Mom, “don’t tell Mary because then she’ll want it.” Frank had the eye for the antique or collectible and never failed to come out of Salvation Army or the “Thrifty Store,” as he called it without a find. All of his family members have appreciated his gift of some special treasure that he found just for them.

Frank the son, brother, brother-in-law and uncle always kept in close touch with his family members, offering sage advice and words of wisdom to all of us. He always had an opinion he was happy to share which was given and followed with his usual question, “Am I right or am I right?” “Yes, Frank, your right!” He was very proud of his family and bragged about their accomplishments to all who would listen. We were all happy to spend as much time as possible with him during his last few years talking and reminiscing and being together in person or by phone. Sue traveled to Florida regularly and Frank waited for her nightly 8 o’clock call. He was always close to his mother and it was to her he turned for increasing amount of support and care over the past few years. It was divine providence that Mom and Tom located nearby just when he needed them most. What could be more perfect to leave this life cared for by the one who brought you into it?

Frank rose to the occasion as well as he could as he was slowing down and demonstrated his courage and strength by accepting the unacceptable. Frank lit the candle and lived by candlelight as long as he could when the lights started to dim for him. Happily, he is now in the light in a better place and whether it’s laughing with Aunt Dolores or Hermanes, laying at the beach or reading a good book I know he is basking in our Lord’s love.

You were a great person and uncle to me. I was very sad and heartbroken when my mom told me about your death. Now, you are in a special place and God is watching over you. You made me laugh when you rode the Kumba at Busch Gardens. We really had a lot of good times and memories during the time we spent together. I wish you could have gotten to meet my girlfriend Michelle. You and her would have become good friends.

My deepest sympathy to all of the Stava family. I went to Benet with Frank but lost touch after high school. My prayers are with you Frank and all of your family.

Frank your hat is traveling all over Europe. I love you and miss you.

Sometimes God picks the flower that is still in full bloom; sometimes the rosebud's chosen that we feel He's picked too soon.





Sometimes the flower is fading with petals floating down, but God knows the perfect time to gather flowers from the ground.



There is a heavenly garden in which God takes great pleasure because He's placed within it the loved ones we treasure.



He walks among the blossoms giving them eternal rest and I know that it must please him, because He chose my very best.

Love, Mom

To Marge and Tom and the children (especially my sister's good friend, Mary), Please be assured of my prayers for your family at this difficult time. With Love,

My deepest sympathies to the Stava family. We all grew up together. Frank and I were in the same grade for elementary and high school. In fact, he was my first boyfriend. Back then, we called him Frankie. Although we have all gone in different directions, thoughts of the Stava family brings me many happy and funny memories. Mary, remember how you broke your arm while we were roller skating and delivering newspapers for Frankie?

I am so saddened by Frank's death, but I also know that he is in a much better place. God bless you Frankie; and thanks for the many happy memories.

Donna Crotty Schulz

Uncle Frank was a great person and I'm so sad that I can't make it to the funeral to be together with everyone to remember him. I'll be praying for him, and for the whole family.

Frank's love for his family and friends and his love of life will be deeply missed. He helped us expand our minds and hearts, teaching us about God's way of loving more perfectly and unconditionally. Thank you for sharing your gifts in life, Frank...I will miss you... Love and hugs, Deb xoxo

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.