Frank A. Amendola

Frank Amendola, born on Christmas Day, December 25th, 1919, in Winnetka, Illinois, son of Fortunato Amendola and Antonietta Amendola, died at home at age 91 in Fletcher, North Carolina Monday, July 25th, 2011. He was surrounded by family and friends. Frank graduated from Highland Park High School in Highland Park, Illinois. He served as a Medical Corpsman in the US Army overseas in the Aleutian Islands during World War II for 3 1/2 years. He was awarded an Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with a Bronze Battle Star, 4 Overseas Service Bars, a Service Stripe, and a Good Conduct Medal. He subsequently served as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserves for another 8 years. He received three Honorable Discharges. Frank married his wife, Beverly, on April 14th, 1956. They celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary earlier this year. Frank was the patriarch of a large Italian-American Family and he had many Friends. Frank is survived by his wife, Beverly Amendola; five children, Janette Morgan and her husband, Mark, of Prairie Village, Kansas; Susan Amendola and her partner Josh Friedman and daughter Daisy Friedman of Omaha, Nebraska; John Amendola of Phoenix, Arizona; Julie Amendola of Marlton, New Jersey; and Karen Amendola of Falls Church, Virginia. He is survived by six grandchildren; Terra (Simeon) Goulden of London, United Kingdom; Amber Amendola of New York City, New York; Melissa Sharp of Marlton, New Jersey; Curtis Sharp of Marlton, New Jersey; Grace Gillespie of Burbank, California, and her father, Dirk Gillespie of Omaha, Nebraska; and Kaitlin Morgan of Prairie Village, Kansas. He is also survived by two Sisters-in-Law (Marian Amendola, Nancy Linville); six nieces (Sandra Amendola, Barbara Amendola, Sheila Reilly, Eileen Reilly-Hoey, Carol Broos, and Mary Brown); and nephew (David Linville); his his six cousins (Susan Scislowicz, Lonnie Duchane, Nella Pasinato, Ann Elliott, Lia Franzese, Frank Franzese); and close family friends (Maria Grillo-Kratz and Elisa, Gina and Robert Grillo). Frank was the Director of Marketing, Public Relations, and Advertising for Cherry Electrical Corporation where he retired in 1989 after 29 years of service. During that time he was an avid golfer. He also served for many years as a Volunteer for the Chicago area American Red Cross. After retiring to Asheville in 1989, Frank and Beverly enjoyed and participated in the Jubilee Community, Friends of Carl Sandburg, the Thomas Wolfe Society, the College for Seniors at UNCA, Bridge Groups, and Frank was a member of the Civitan Club. They enjoyed Arts & Crafts Fairs, Poetry Readings, Hiking, Waterfall Trips, Animals (including Tigger their dog), and Gardening. Their retirement travels took them to Italy, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Paris, and on amazing rail trips throughout Canada and New England. Frank's love of family resulted in many trips to visit children and grandchildren across the country. No funeral services will be held. There will be a celebration of life for family and friends during Labor Day Weekend in the Chicago area. Contact: FrankAmendolaFamily@yahoo.com In Honor of Frank gifts may be given to: The North Carolina Stage Company (NCSC) http://www.ncstage.org/; Thomas Wolfe Society http://www.thomaswolfe.org/about-tws/membership/; The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial http://www.mlkmemorial.org/.