Frank Palmeri

It’s been a long journey Frank, will miss our talks going back from the time I walked into your Pizza restaurant back in 1978, when I came down from NYC, just looking for New York pizza and a fellow New Yorker.
Rest in peace ,Frank

I was sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. Prayers of peace for the family.

Eating Pizza at Frank’s in Innsbruk Mall in the early 80’s started my love affair with really good pizza, as well as my first love affair at the tender age of 16. Pizza at Frank’s was a tradition that spanned 4 generations of my family. I can never thank him enough for hosting nearly 30 years of precious memories around some of the best pizza ever, with people I loved. Thank you to the Palmeri family for sharing Frank with the Asheville community including me and my family. Peace and prayers for you in the days ahead.

I never met him but his Tunnel Rd location was my favorite condolences to you and your family 🙏

Frank’s was part of our childhood we will never forget. Our family is so very sorry for your loss. He is forever in our hearts and memories.

We ate there, the old location, several times a week dating and then married. He would always call us by name as we came in.

When I think of Frank I remember his smile and his generosity. My family would walk into the restaurant and Frank would always smile and wave at us. Then, sometime during our meal, he would come over and give the boys quarters to play the game machines. A man of few words but many generous actions. He will be missed.

My thought n prayers go out for this great family . I don’t know him personally. But his son Dr Paulmari is such a great man to be the great dr he is . Hug a. Dr . For you n family

“The One, the Only, the Original.” Frank’s obituary is such a fitting tribute to a wonderful human being. He came to Asheville before coming to Asheville was “the thing” to do. Unlike many who find their way to these mountains, he never focused on what he could take away but, rather, on what he could add to make our community a better place. And that’s exactly what he did, in so many ways that weren’t visible to folks who didn’t have the good fortune of knowing him well enough to observe it first-hand. A true friend, he will be deeply missed.

I first went to Frank’s in the 80’s when i was in the third grade. I was in between the grades of Martin and Frank jr, (Frankie). Pretty much everyone at ACDS celebrated their birthdays at Frank’s with their whole class. Those are some of my fondest memories. Frank always tossing dough behind the counter and greeting you with a smile on his mustache when you walked in the door. Pacman and galaga in the background. Scratched pitchers of coke over ice. Those napkins all over the walls, (we all hoped we could get one of our own up there). Everyone having the best time. As i got older, there were first dates, tenth dates, anniversaries, beers with good friends, (old and new), and always, always the best slices of pizza i’ve ever had. Frank is a legend. I send my love and support to his family and many friends. Rest in peace, Frank. We miss you.

So sorry to hear of Mr. Palmeri’s passing. He was a blessing to the community, and I’m fortunate to be a beneficiary of his son’s excellent care. I’ll dedicate my work this year with new growth businesses in his honor.

Frank’s at Innsbruck was not yet open for buisness when I applied for a job there. Frank informed me I was too young to work there yet, then offered me a slice and words of encouragement that have stayed with me all these years. He was truly larger than life and a positive force not to be forgotten. My deepest condolences.

The genuine nature of Frank’s hospitality, complementing the unforgettable tastiness of his pizzas, constitute one of our family’s fond memories of our children’s growing-up years in Asheville.

So sad to hear of Frank’s passing. My family (The Freeman’s) ate at Frank’s on a regular basis from the time he opened. We had birthday parties there, celebrated events…created so many fond memories throughout the years. When I had children, I took them there too. It became a part of their lives also. He hung their napkins up on the wall. Frank was always so friendly and welcoming. Every pizza was made with love. When my brother Jason moved to Chapel Hill, Frank’s was the first place we met up when he would come back into town. It was a family place, and it was “our place!” Over the years, we got to know what a great guy Frank was. A little funny story, my brother Jason, is the Equipment Manager for UNC-CH Football team, Frank’s son Frank was a walk on for the football team and my brother got to talking to him and found out his dad owned Frank’s Pizza…the place we went to gather frequently. Small world!! May the Lord help the family through this sad time.🙏🏻

Frank’s infectious smile always makes everyone around him smile. He and Joanne exude warmth everywhere they go. They made a strong, confident family and shared them with all of us. It gives us all faith that it can be done You’re great examples! From reading the other entries we all felt it and have beautiful memories. May we all remember Frank, pay it forward and support each other. To all the Palmeri’s – we love you and share your loss. Be well.

I just found out about Frank’s passing….I was so sorry to hear this. He was a wonderful man. My brother, Jeff Hollyfield, was one of his employees and he also was a franchisee of Franks Pizza for several years. I was a volunteer with the MDA Chapter in Asheville for 22 years and helped with the Jerry Lewis Telethon which WLOS would air each year. I was in charge of supervising the volunteer telephone operators and getting the food to feed everyone who helped with the telethon. One of my first contacts that I approached for food was Frank. He was so generous and very eager to help. I would schedule him to bring the pizza’s in toward the last shift. Needless to say, after the first couple of years, the volunteers figured out when Frank was delivering his pizza’s and ALL of them wanted to sign up for that shift! Frank would come in and the wonderful aroma of those pizza’s would fill the studio. He would have his first son with him and then when his second son was old enough he also accompanied Frank. And, if donating all of those pizza’s was not enough (we had 50 people per shift to feed), he would present a donation check to the Emcee’s for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I loved Frank and when my brother passed, Frank was one of the first people to reach out and offer his condolences my family. I offer my sincere and deepest sympathies to his wife, his sons and the rest of his family. Frank will live on in you and in the lives of the people he touched with his wit, smile and caring nature. We are all better off having known him. May God bless each of you in this time of sorrow.

FRANK WAS A GREAT PERSON,AND GREAT FOOD,HE WILL BE MISSED.

Our condolences to the family and friends of Frank Palmeri. He will always be remembered fondly by our entire family that was blessed to have eaten at truly “The Best!” My husband and I had our first date almost 43 years ago at the Innsbruck Mall location. His smile was always there to great all the customers, and he was always friendly. The food was beyond compare. Our children spent their childhood eating at Frank’s many locations over the years. Prayers, blessings and sympathy to all who knew and loved him.
The Williams Family
Mike, Debbie, Missy, Nick, Mathew, Piper, Levi, Nash and Garrett

Extending condolences . Joanne. May God give you strength during this difficult time. I will keep you in my prayers.

I worked for Frank the summer of 1978 when I was home from college. Just a grunt, washing dishes, cleaning the dough-mixer bowl, mopping up after closing. One night he sent me home with a calzone. It wasn’t on the menu and I had never heard of one. He was trying it out and wanted to know what my mother thought of it. It was amazing. As was the pizza. To this day, Frank’s is the Gold Standard by which I judge all others. Funny story: that summer I was taking flying lessons at the Asheville airport. Frank was intrigued. He wanted me to take out one of those $1 insurance policies the next time I went up and name him as the benefactor! He even gave me the dollar. Sadly, AVL did not have such an option so I gave him the dollar back. It was all in good fun. We had some deep conversations after closings. There was certainly more to him than met the eye. I’m sorry to hear of his passing and my thoughts/prayers go out to the Palmeri family.