In Memoriam
Below is the death notice of Frank Crisafi, father of David Crisafi, Class of 1985, and grandfather of Anthony Crisafi '18 and Frank Crisafi '18. Please keep the Crisafi family in your prayers.
FRANK RALPH CRISAFI, age 90, passed away peacefully at home on July 17, 2024. Beloved husband for 63 years to Betty Jean (nee, Gural) (deceased); loving father of four children: Frank Crisafi (Diane), Anthony Crisafi (Liza), David Crisafi (Marilyn), and Karen Hewson (Fraser); dearest grandfather of twelve grandchildren: Frank Anthony, Jr., Matthew (Margaret), and Jack (Heather) Crisafi; Nicholas (Britney Gallivan) Crisafi, Clare Crisafi (Johnny Prestidge), and Anna Crisafi; Frank Ralph, II, Anthony, Hope, and Katherine Crisafi; Alex and Oliver Hewson; great grandfather of four great grandchildren: Joseph, James, and Matthew Jr. Crisafi, and Vyla Gallivan-Crisafi; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Born on September 24, 1933, to the late Anthony and Margaret (nee Fritzsche); brother of the late Antoinette Stropki.
Frank had a magnanimous personality, and was loved, respected and admired by family, friends, business associates and everyone who knew him. From humble beginnings, Frank learned the value of hard work from his father, by working in his filling station as a youth. He excelled at football and music at Rhodes High School, where his football team was undefeated and won the Charity Game in his senior year. Frank was a member of the octet all four years of high school and the lead soloist. His athletic prowess earned him a football scholarship that helped pay for his education at Western Reserve University (Case Western). He also played the bass fiddle and sang with a band during high school and college to help pay for his education. Frank married the love of his life Betty while attending law school but was forced to give up (temporarily) his dream of becoming a lawyer when his sons, Frank and Tony were born.
After college, Frank entered the residential real estate business, eventually co-founding Zepkin & Crisafi Realty Company and became actively involved in the Cleveland Area Board of Realtors, where he served as First Vice President, as President, as a Director on the Board of Directors and a member of its Executive Committee. Frank’s involvement in real estate led to the development and management of multiple properties throughout the Cleveland area, as well as throughout Ohio and in Indiana. The properties included multiple professional office buildings, the Berea Commons, apartments and condominiums, and multiple hotel properties under the Marriott, Hilton, and Wyndham flags. His hotels won hotel of the year several times, and his management company earned employer of the year awards and was named one of the Top Ten places to work in the Cleveland area. Frank believed in building a strong organization of people to assist him in his real estate endeavors; his favorite saying was “People Make the Party.” Above all, Frank was a caring and loving person. His priorities were the love of his life, Betty, and their family, his music, and the real estate business and business associates. Despite the demands of running the real estate company and his real property development activities, Frank never game up his (and his father’s) dream of becoming a lawyer, having returned to law school part-time in 1971 and graduating from Cleveland State Law School in 1974.
Frank will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, business associates, and so many others who have had the pleasure of knowing him.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Sisters of the Incarnate Word at 6618 Pearl Rd, Cleveland, OH 44130. Friends may pay their respects at the McGORRAY-HANNA FUNERAL HOME, 25620 Center Ridge Road (West of Columbia Rd.) Westlake, Ohio on Sunday, August 4, 2024, from Noon to 4 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Raphael Church, 525 Dover Center Rd., Bay Village, Ohio on Monday, August 5, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Brook Park, Ohio.
Posted on: July 29, 2024
You can view a list of all St. Ed's Alumni who have passed away on our website.
Make a Gift in Honor of Frank Ralph Crisafi
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