BORN

1936

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Virginia Funeral Chapel

1707 Hylan Blvd

Staten Island, New York

Frank Stropoli Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 23, 2016.

Frank V. Stropoli, 79 Devoted husband, father, entertainer Frank V. Stropoli died on Sunday, May 22, 2016, from ALS at the Atrium Post Acute Care Center in Matawan, N.J. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Virginia Funeral Chapel. A Mass will be held at St. Ann's Church, 101 Cromwell Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. Mr. Stropoli was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he grew up and graduated from New Utrecht High School. Gifted with a beautiful voice in a time where Rock 'N' Roll was in its infancy, Frank connected with two of his peers: Tony Grochowski and Joe Villa, forming a group which would be recognized by the rest of the world as "The Three Friends." Inspired by a young female who also attended their high school, "The Three Friends" produced an original song "Blanche" which was released in September of 1956, with the mid-tempo "Baby I'll Cry" on the backside. "Blanche" was quickly reviewed in Billboard the following month, receiving three stars and admired by Alan Freed. "The Three Friends" were immediately put on the map with "Blanche" becoming an East Coast hit. The exposure from "Blanche" helped the group land performances in respectable venues such as the prestigious Apollo Theater, along with being booked to perform for Alan Freed's 1956 blockbuster Christmas show held at the Brooklyn Paramount. Frank's passion for entertaining set him off to travel across the Far East, Australia, Hawaii, and he spent a year singing in Alaska, which he loved, just to name a few. Frank served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1954 to 1962. He was a religious man and devoted Catholic. While raising his children in Dongan Hills, Staten Island, N.Y., he was head of the choir and the lector for St. Ann's Church for many years. Frank was also a bookkeeper and performed as a wedding singer on weekends to support his family. Upon his retirement, Frank and his wife, Irene, lived in Florida for 10 years but decided to come back in 2010 to be closer with the family, residing in Old Bridge, N.J. Aside from his musical career and success, Frank found no greater joy than the time he spent with his family. Frank, known as Poppy to his grandchildren, never missed a holiday, birthday or graduation. To friends, Frank was a hard-working, selfless, sincere soul, filled with life and love for all. He was a man of wise words and heart-warming advice. He continued to entertain on Wednesday nights at his son, Eric's, restaurant. Mr. Frank Stropoli was the late son of Phyllis (Rasulo) and Vincent Stropoli. Frank was a loving husband for 46 years to Irene (Berntsen) Stropoli, and was the beloved father of Janice Montana, Karen Delgrosso, Denise Maher, and Eric Stropoli. Frank leaves behind a sister, Rosemary Piazza, 13 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Virginia Funeral Chapel 1707 Hylan Blvd. Staten Island, N.Y. 10305 (718) 987-2828

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6 Entries

March 8, 2017

Tiffany Delgrosso

love your grandpa frank. miss you every day. Always thinking about you.
love your grand daughter-

Tiffany DelGrosso

May 27, 2016

Gladys & Joe 'Villa' Francavilla

We were saddened to hear that Frank had died.
I still treasure the memories of the wonderful times that Frank, Tony, and I had performing as The Three Friends in our 'youth'.
Our sincere sympathy to his family. Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.
Rest in God's sweet peace, Frankie.

Posted by Gladys & Joe 'Villa' Francavilla

May 25, 2016

Ellen Argento

Rest in peace Frank. My thoughts and prayers go out to Irene and the family. You will be missed.
From Ellen and family (Birchwood neighbors)

May 24, 2016

V

Don't know the man personally, but I thank him for the wonderful memories he brought back thinking about his music. R.I.P.

May 24, 2016

Kristin Montana

My Dearest Poppy,

This morning I had no energy to get out of bed, let alone open an umbrella. I cried in the rain the entire walk to the deli to get the newspaper before work. Even though I already had your entire obituary engraved in my mind, I still wasn't ready.

I already miss you. I already find myself wishing I could call and say hello. I'm going to miss you squeezing my hand as you say how much you love me. I'll miss your compassion, and interest in all I've done and still want to see. I'll miss you getting to know more about Marc, even though you already made it known how much you admired him. Most of all, I'll miss your positive energy. I loved how you never had a bad thing to say, about anyone. I loved listening to your outlook on reasons why people do hurtful things, or how easy it was for you to shine light on a bad situation. Who will remember to ask me how my meetings went when their lives are just as busy? Who will remember all the things I say when no one else is really listening? There's only some moments I find peace, knowing that at least you were able to see me happy. That at least, I had one more Sunday outing. At least, you knew how much I loved and cared for you. That will all never be enough for me though, that we both know. I love you Pop. See you soon.

May 24, 2016

Bernard Taub

I knew Frank from Primos restaurant which we often went to on Saturday nights. A fine man.

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Funeral services provided by:

Virginia Funeral Chapel

1707 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305

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