Obituary for Frank LaRosa
Frank “Frankie” LaRosa, age 89, went home to join his Lord on April 21, 2019. Frank is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy Clark LaRosa, his wife of 35 years, his son, Greg LaRosa of Boston, MA, his wife Kathleen, their two daughters, Catherine and Olivia, and his brother Robert LaRosa and his wife, Phyllis.
A native of Brooklyn New York, Frank moved to Doylestown in 1948 after graduating high school. Frank participated in track, baseball and football. He won the high school’s Hall of Fame in 1947 and the Lou Gehrig Award, sponsored by the New York Journal, awarded to senior athletes for showing a high degree of sportsmanship, integrity and dedication.
Frank’s football achievements earned him a scholarship to attend the National Agricultural College, now known as Delaware Valley University, from which he graduated in May 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry. In 1958, Frank became the first president of the Alumni Association. He is credited with starting the first college Alumni Giving Program.
Frank’s first employer was Sylvan Pools in November 1952. He was responsible for starting the service department, later advancing to the sales department and being the first salesman to sell 100 pools in one year which was unheard of at the time. He later became general manager of Sylvan Franchised Service Dealers throughout the northeast United States.
Frank served on Doylestown Township’s Board of Supervisors as Vice Chairman and later Chairman from 1970 to 1975. He was instrumental in developing the first township comprehensive plan and plans for the first full time police department. He was appointed to Doylestown Township Zoning Hearing Board from 1977 to 1985.
He became involved with the Doylestown Township Oktoberfest, serving as chairman and emcee for 9 years until he retired. He was the voice of Oktoberfest and was even called “Mr. Oktoberfest” by the public.
In 1980, Frank bought a beer distributorship in Quakertown, Pennsylvania called “Frank’s Beer Stein” and ran the business until August 1983.
In 1983, Frank attended Temple night school for training as a financial consultant. He was hired by Merril Lynch in November 1983, and worked there until he retired in April 1995. Working for Merrill Lynch, provided Frank and Nancy with opportunities to travel abroad to eastern Europe and Hawaii.
After Frank retired, he volunteered at Doylestown Hospital for 21 years accumulating 7,400 volunteer hours. As lay chaplain, Frank helped many people. He was awarded the Volunteer of the Month award in January 2001. Everyone at the hospital knew Frankie LaRosa, the Chaplain. Frank became a certified Laugh Leader after attending a course at Lehigh University. He would visit hospitals, nursing homes and churches teaching anyone who wanted to learn the importance and history of laughter.
Frank started voice lessons with Susan Whitenack on his 71st birthday. He would sing solos of classic broadway show tunes and participated in other performances.
He was a dedicated member of the first Cornerstone Health Club.
Frank served as a deacon and elder at the United Church of Christ in Quakertown, then later joined Doylestown Presbyterian Church where he served on the Christian Ministry Committee and served 6 years as a deacon.
Frank lived a full life and had a great deal of laughs along the way. He loved to wear colorful shirts and ties. Anyone who wishes to wear brightly colored clothing to his memorial service, should do so because it will make Frankie very happy.
A memorial service for Frank LaRosa will be held on June 8, 2019 at 11 am at the Doylestown Presbyterian Church located at 127 East Court Street, Doylestown. Immediately following the service, friends and family may join in the celebration of Frank’s life at Andrews Hall, located directly behind the church, where there will be memorabilia and light refreshments.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Frank can be made to the Doylestown Presbyterian Church, Doylestown Hospital or Delaware Valley University.
Send condolences to www.varcoethomasfuneralhome.com
A native of Brooklyn New York, Frank moved to Doylestown in 1948 after graduating high school. Frank participated in track, baseball and football. He won the high school’s Hall of Fame in 1947 and the Lou Gehrig Award, sponsored by the New York Journal, awarded to senior athletes for showing a high degree of sportsmanship, integrity and dedication.
Frank’s football achievements earned him a scholarship to attend the National Agricultural College, now known as Delaware Valley University, from which he graduated in May 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry. In 1958, Frank became the first president of the Alumni Association. He is credited with starting the first college Alumni Giving Program.
Frank’s first employer was Sylvan Pools in November 1952. He was responsible for starting the service department, later advancing to the sales department and being the first salesman to sell 100 pools in one year which was unheard of at the time. He later became general manager of Sylvan Franchised Service Dealers throughout the northeast United States.
Frank served on Doylestown Township’s Board of Supervisors as Vice Chairman and later Chairman from 1970 to 1975. He was instrumental in developing the first township comprehensive plan and plans for the first full time police department. He was appointed to Doylestown Township Zoning Hearing Board from 1977 to 1985.
He became involved with the Doylestown Township Oktoberfest, serving as chairman and emcee for 9 years until he retired. He was the voice of Oktoberfest and was even called “Mr. Oktoberfest” by the public.
In 1980, Frank bought a beer distributorship in Quakertown, Pennsylvania called “Frank’s Beer Stein” and ran the business until August 1983.
In 1983, Frank attended Temple night school for training as a financial consultant. He was hired by Merril Lynch in November 1983, and worked there until he retired in April 1995. Working for Merrill Lynch, provided Frank and Nancy with opportunities to travel abroad to eastern Europe and Hawaii.
After Frank retired, he volunteered at Doylestown Hospital for 21 years accumulating 7,400 volunteer hours. As lay chaplain, Frank helped many people. He was awarded the Volunteer of the Month award in January 2001. Everyone at the hospital knew Frankie LaRosa, the Chaplain. Frank became a certified Laugh Leader after attending a course at Lehigh University. He would visit hospitals, nursing homes and churches teaching anyone who wanted to learn the importance and history of laughter.
Frank started voice lessons with Susan Whitenack on his 71st birthday. He would sing solos of classic broadway show tunes and participated in other performances.
He was a dedicated member of the first Cornerstone Health Club.
Frank served as a deacon and elder at the United Church of Christ in Quakertown, then later joined Doylestown Presbyterian Church where he served on the Christian Ministry Committee and served 6 years as a deacon.
Frank lived a full life and had a great deal of laughs along the way. He loved to wear colorful shirts and ties. Anyone who wishes to wear brightly colored clothing to his memorial service, should do so because it will make Frankie very happy.
A memorial service for Frank LaRosa will be held on June 8, 2019 at 11 am at the Doylestown Presbyterian Church located at 127 East Court Street, Doylestown. Immediately following the service, friends and family may join in the celebration of Frank’s life at Andrews Hall, located directly behind the church, where there will be memorabilia and light refreshments.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Frank can be made to the Doylestown Presbyterian Church, Doylestown Hospital or Delaware Valley University.
Send condolences to www.varcoethomasfuneralhome.com