Obituary of Francesco J Chiappisi

It is with great sorrow that we share the passing of Francesco (Frank) Chiappisi on Monday, April 8th , 2024. He is predeceased by his parents, Girolamo and Antonietta Chiappisi, and his brother Arthur Chiappisi. Frank is survived by his wife Ann Chiappisi, his sister Anna Chiappisi, his three sons Stephen, Michael, and Robert, and their wives Debb, Nancy, and Marie. Frank is also survived by his five grandchildren Jillian, Ethan, Hannah, Lucas, and Randin, and five great grandchildren, Isla, Alice, Jack, Emily, and Henry. On November 17th, 1931, Francesco (Frank) Chiappisi was born in South Ozone Park, Queens to his parents, Girolamo and Antonietta and was welcomed to the world by his older siblings Arthur and Anna. Growing up in an Italian home, Frank learned the value and importance of family, community, and caring for others. He is remembered loving to work with his hands and learning new skills. His mother always shared her wishes that he would play more sports with kids his age after continuously finding him in neighborhood garages working on cars, building, and hanging out with community members who shared their trades with him. At the age of nineteen, Frank enlisted in the United States Navy to serve his country. He served two years on the U.S.S. Midway from 1950 to 1952. Frank married his beautiful wife at the age of 24 in Brooklyn, New York surrounded by family and friends. Frank and Ann lived in Brooklyn when they welcomed their first child, Stephen Chiappisi, to the world in 1958. The family of three moved to their new home in Lynbrook on Calvin Street where they welcomed their second son, Michael Chiappisi in 1963 and third son Robert Chiappisi in 1965. They became a well-known Lynbrook family participating actively in sports, community events, attending church, and caring for their home on Norwich Avenue. Frank’s greatest joy came from the birth of his own children and grandchildren. Being a father and grandfather only accentuated his loving nature as he watched his family grow. A quiet man, usually humming Sinatra, he often showed his love by bringing a small bowl of assorted snacks your way when you least expected it. Olives, tomatoes, carrots, melon, strawberries, or grapefruit cut to perfection with meticulous attention to detail would be delivered with a quick kiss on the head. That’s how he showed us his love. He greeted his loved ones similarly on the phone with a brief but joyful “hello son”, “hello sweetheart” or “hello friend” that warmed any conversation. His voice was always warm and soothing as he shared his plans for their day. That’s how he showed us his love. Frank approached challenging projects like a focused surgeon. A tangled necklace, a faulty electric socket, a piece of meat to butcher or a mixed-up ball of yarn became his obsession until it was completed to his highest standard. That’s how he showed us his love. Frank proudly tended and grew a garden with fresh vegetables and fruits at his home on Norwich Avenue. While he always enjoyed the fruits of his labor in his nightly salad, including flax seed oil and toasted breadcrumbs of course, he thrived when watching his grandchildren nibble on lettuce, radishes, cucumbers and the delicious figs he grew while sitting with Ann in the garden. That’s how he showed us his love. Frank didn’t love ultra-sweet cakes and cookies but was a true connoisseur of pies. Even as a child, he requested apple pie for his birthday celebrations and a cake for the rest of the family to enjoy. Our family felt compelled to create masterful pies to bring a smile to his face, his favorites being peach, blueberry, and Boston creme. He would sit at the head of the table with a calm grin and watch his family eat, grow, and support one another. That’s how he showed us his love. His commitment to caring for others showed the most when taking care of his beloved wife, Ann. The attention to detail, patience, and love shared between the couple could be felt by anyone they met. Their sixty-eight years together was a true testament to honoring marriage vows and supporting your partner with unconditional love each day. Their faith as a couple held strong into Frank’s last days. Ann’s strength as a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother shined as she held his hand, combed his hair, and shared her love and memories of him with her family. That’s how she showed him her love. Frank, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, you are eternally loved. Eternally valued. Eternally idolized. Eternally our family’s backbone. You will hold the most special place in our hearts forever. Rest Easy. We love you. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Frank knows that his dedication to helping others remained strong until his last days. The way he prioritized caring for his family, his country, his faith and his local community set a glowing example for anyone who knew him. The family wishes to honor Frank’s life and commitment to showing people compassion by inviting all those who knew him to donate time, goods, or money to the Mary Brennan Inn in Hempstead, NY, 11550. Additionally, the family wishes for this invitation to be shared with anyone and everyone who identifies with the compassion our Frank showed this world his entire life. While he will be missed dearly, we know the love he shared will continue to impact strangers and loved ones for as long as his memory remains strong. https://the-inn.org/how-to-help/donate-funds/