Frank Cantieri, born March 28, 1931 in Verciano, Italy, passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2016. At age 8 Frank boarded a ship out of Italy during WWII and immigrated to the US along with his mother and brother. They traveled by train from New York to Galveston and met up with his father who had established a grocery store business on 13th and Strand. Frank was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Church, having served as an altar boy and then an usher all of his adult life. He attended Sacred Heart and Ball High schools. Frank also attended the University of Houston until he was drafted in the Army. He served in Sault Ste. Marie, MI during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge, Frank’s uncle, Angelo Cantieri, helped him and his brother, Roy, open a liquor store on 14th and Strand. They later bought a second store on University Blvd where Frank was still working the week before his passing. In over 60 years of business he developed long-lasting friendships with many of his customers with his welcoming smile and great sense of humor. Frank always enjoyed kidding around with people just to brighten their day.
Frank was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, June; his father Charles; his mother, Giorgia; and his brother, Roy. He is survived by his son, Michael Cantieri and wife Peggy; his daughter, Cathy Cantieri and husband Mark Landrum; his son, Bob Cantieri; and his grandsons: Derek Fischer, Charlie Cantieri, and Frankie Cantieri.
Frank’s family will receive visitors from 5:00 until 7:00 pm, Friday, November 11, 2016, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home.
Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am, Saturday, November 12, 2016, at Sacred Heart Church with Father Richard Goodin, OFM, as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank all of the people who would look out for Frank at the store in recent years, sharing their home cooked meals, helping him with repairs, and just being there for him.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made in Frank’s honor to Meals on Wheels or a local charity of your choice.