Francis "Frank" August Crosetti

Arden- Francis “Frank” August Crosetti, 92, of Brevard, North Carolina, passed peacefully from this life on July 7, 2024, at his home-away-from-home, surrounded by his beloved family. Born on March 27, 1932 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Andrew Crosetti and Myrtle Trucksess Crosetti, he was the first of three children. He grew up during the post-stock market crash and WWII eras, learning a strong work ethic from his industrious parents and adventuring outdoors in the neighborhood with his younger brother, Bruce, and his lifelong buddies. Frank was always full of stories of how he and his gang, including Pete, Don, Dick and Bob, would get into all kinds of boyish pranks and mischief, establishing ties that lasted a lifetime. When younger sister Gayle came along, 17 years his junior, Frank was her “favorite man”, and she enjoyed being a part of his experiences and new family.

Frank graduated from Ridgefield Park High School and ultimately joined the National Guard, from which he enlisted into the US Army to be stationed in Ft. Knox as a radio technician. He rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class in his time serving our country, and was a role model to so many. His favorite stories to tell were of driving the tanks in training maneuvers, and establishing meaningful connections with buddies like Fortunato ”Freddie” A. Acerra, with whom he spoke shortly after their 90th birthdays as if no time had passed.

It was during that time that Frank met the great love of his life, Barbara, the “Lady in Red” at a USO dance, and it was love at first sight. They married in Charlestown, Indiana at the Charlestown Methodist Church on September 24, 1955, and enjoyed nearly 69 years of marriage together, the kind of “forever love” that hardly exists anymore. Barbara was always his first priority, and he always led with his heart. Their partnership was an exceptional example of mutual respect and how to make dreams come to life together. It was a regular event to see both Frank and Barbara, cooking an evening meal for the family when a song on the stereo inspired them to break into dance across the kitchen floor.

Through Barbara, Frank made the connection to a job with Crane Packing Company, working part-time at first while attending classes at Fairleigh Dickinson College. This grew into an illustrious career in sales and as Regional Sales Manager from which he would retire in 1992 after a successful 35 years. Frank was the kind of manager that inspired those around him to raise their standards and their skills, and establish long careers of their own. He always wanted to give a hand up to others as he was given in his earlier years.

Together, Frank and Barbara created a beautiful family that includes three daughters, Elaine, Paula and Laura. Frank was the kind of dad that encouraged his girls to be strong and capable young women, breaking from traditional roles that were confining and limiting. Although his work in sales required much traveling, he was routinely engaged and present in his family’s daily lives, doing projects around the house, playing games and sports, encouraging creativity and instilling the work ethic passed on to him from his own parents. Frank was the kind of girl-dad who was easily relatable and open to discussion of even the most challenging topics, and he was the epitome of unconditional love and acceptance. The infinite size of his heart and expression of his love is the foundation of the commitment his daughters feel to carry him through the final weeks of his life, and reflect the priority of family he held so dear.
He was also a fatherly role-model for his nephew, John, “Frank’s boy”, who spent much of his vacation time with the Crosetti family in Connecticut and New Jersey. He had a unique and special relationship with his son-in-law, Todd, who was attentive to sharing lengthy conversations of guy-talk and many trips to Waffle House for Frank’s favorite breakfast or a drive up on the Blue Ridge Parkway or to Beaver Lake. Daughter-in-law Linda Colangelo shared his love of power tools, pasta, pajama styles and world-wide travel, and daughter-in-law Paloma Baguena-Mesa traded a love of all things cultural and global, an inclination for engineering and design, and a love of puppies, particularly Moxie and Idgie. Nephew Michael, his wife Nathalie and daughter Samantha were steadfast in keeping in regular contact at special occasions and in-between, honoring the special place he occupied in their hearts.

Nothing made Frank more proud, perhaps, than his two beautiful granddaughters, Carly and Mackenzie. He always was eager to witness their milestones and the development of their personalities. He and Barbara were committed to seeing them each achieve their dreams through their education and world travel, and always supported their sports, art, and music endeavors. He loved for them to come visit and teach him all they had been learning at school, and spent plenty of hours teaching ukelele, attending concerts and ball games, and pitching tennis balls, softballs and driving golf balls at the club.

Frank’s life was filled with spirit and adventure and the deepest love for the family and friends around him. He thoroughly enjoyed the theater and performing arts, especially attending all of Linda’s live performances, including her portrayal of Dulcinea. Whether on the softball field as shortstop, sailing, ping pong, golfing, camping, bowling, volleyball, air hockey, remote control cars and planes, a variety of home improvement projects that he painstakingly designed and crafted, Frank fully lived his life with joy.

Frank is survived by his wife and lifelong best friend, Barbara; his daughter Elaine (Paloma) of Arden, NC; daughter Paula of Arden; daughter Laura (Linda) of Putnam, CT; brother Bruce of Cheshire, CT; sister Gayle of Charlotte, NC; granddaughters Carly Dinga of Guelph, CAN and Mackenzie Dinga of Louisville, KY; bonus granddaughter Samantha Foster of Cocoa Beach, FL; son-in-law Todd Dinga of Waynesville, NC; devoted caretaker Misty Gehly; nieces Patti, Dayle, Janet, Joann, Allison, Christa and Jessica; nephews Michael and John; hand-holding and storytelling audience Christy and Dawn; and a host of friends both near and far who will all cherish the memory of his wide-open heart and filter-less sense of humor.

A time of celebrating Frank’s life will be held from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at the Connestee Falls Clubhouse, 5353 Connestee Trail, Brevard, NC 28712. Please enter thru the East Fork Gate. All friends and family who love Frank and his family are welcome to attend. Gifts in Memoriam may be made to the Buncombe County Schools Foundation to be awarded in scholarships to students wishing to advance their post-secondary education. BCS Foundation, 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC 28806, or by online donation at Buncombe County Schools Foundation.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.