Frank J. Gustinella, 81

BOARDMAN – There will be a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Luke Church, with the Rev. Joseph Fata celebrating the Mass for Frank J. Gustinella, 81, who passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, March 4, 2014, with his loving family and friends by his side.
Frank was born March 5, 1932, in Youngstown, the son of Joseph and Ernestine (Cherol) Gustinella.
He worked at Youngstown Sheet & Tube for 32 years, was a custodian at Boardman Schools, and a Caddy Master at Tippecanoe Country Club.
When the mills closed, Frank came up with the idea to form a Sheet and Tube Breakfast Group. This group of men would meet to renew friendships and give support to one another. The group started with eight men and quickly grew to over 50.
He also aided widows of former Sheet and Tube workers by assisting them in claiming widow benefits that they were not aware existed.
Frank was a member of St. Luke Church, its Holy Name Society, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Knights of Columbus Bishop James Malone Council No. 12756, and past member of the St. Luke Choir and Festival Worker. He was also a member of the Youngstown Cursillo Movement and Boardman Auditorium 2000 Campaign Committee.
He was a graduate of Boardman High School and attended Youngstown State University.
Frank’s motto was to “make a new friend every day.” He was known for playing Happy Birthday greetings on his trumpet to over 4,000 family, friends, and acquaintances since 1992.
Frank will be forever loved and remembered by wife, Sylvia M. (Sacchini) Gustinella, whom he married Sept. 22, 1956; his son, Tom Gustinella and his wife, Dr. Beth Sheridan of Savannah, Ga.; his daughter, Linda Smrek and her husband, Rick of Boardman; five grandchildren, Michael Smrek and his wife, Cindy, Anne and Mary Smrek, and Graydon and Pace Gustinella; his sister-in-law, Mary Jane Sacchini; and nephew, Joe Sacchini and his wife, Lisa.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Umberto and Anna Sacchini; and brother-in-law, Joseph Sacchini.
Friends may call Friday, March 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Rossi Brothers & Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Ave. in Boardman, when a Cursillo Bible Vigil will take place at 8 p.m.
Friends may also call Saturday morning from 9 to 9:45 a.m., prior to Mass at St. Luke Church.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Joseph Zeno and Nurse Practitioner Bridget Romeo, and the staffs at Hospice of the Valley and Beeghly Oaks for the love and compassionate care shown to Frank during his illness.
Family and friends may visit the Book of Memories at www.rossifunerals.com to view this tribute and send condolences to Frank’s family.

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