Pam and I send our most sincere condolences to all the family of our dear friend Frank Nuzzolese. We are all saddened by this loss, but joyful that he will be resting in peace in heaven. I will always cherish the many years we were personal friends and the wonderful memories of those years.
I met Frank back in 1964, when I purchased Bay Bowl and moved to Port Washington. I immediately knew he was someone special. He possessed a sincere, strong but gentle demeanor and a larger-than-life type of personality. We soon developed a close friendship, both individually and as families, that remained throughout the years.
Having purchased my first bowling center in 1964 (Bay Bowl) and being a kid (28) with little or no money trying to start a business, I was having a difficult and frustrating time with my air conditioning at the center. After trying various AC companies with no success and having met Frank, through his brother Paul, I casually mentioned this to Frank. He immediately asked if he could take a look at the units. Well, Frank being Frank, he came over and after I had shown him the location, started looking at the units. First upstairs at the condensers, then on the roof at the water cooling tower, then back downstairs to the condensers and so on. All the while not saying much, with his hand on his chin and slightly nodding his head occasionally. Needless to say, I had some doubts. Quite a bit of time elapsed when finally he said, “Let me get some tools, maybe I can help you.” Need I continue? I did not have anymore problems.
When I first met Paul, then Frank and Jim, they had the Wood Yard and Ice Plant, not to mention selling Christmas trees in Port Washington. I was just astonished at the work ethic of the three brothers, as they worked long and difficult hours, all of them using their different and individual strengths. Frank could figure out and fix any mechanical problem, from trucks, ice machines, log cutting splitters, etc….he was a genius.
Observing Frank take on the school board—a bulldog. Tirelessly, he rallied the community to challenge the school board and its flawed policies. He convinced people to become active in community affairs and even persuaded some to run (and win) for a seat on the school board. He was relentless and dedicated to his convictions.
I watched helplessly as Frank and Rita endured the suffering of their daughter, Lucy, during her courageous fight against a brain tumor. Frank left no stone unturned to find a solution for his daughter, as most parents would, but not many have the capacity to relentlessly try every conceivable avenue, regardless of cost or time, to help his daughter. We had many discussions about life, death and religion. Sadly, Lucy lost the battle. I felt so bad for Frank and Rita, but admired his determination and dedication.
When my son, Michael, was stabbed by a deranged kid and almost died, Frank was the first to reach out to comfort me and to offer any help dealing with a terrible situation. Six years ago, when Michael died of a massive stroke, Frank, who was dealing with his own health problems, made a point of meeting me and my wife to comfort us and to express his understanding of our feelings.
Frank was one of the strongest and gentlest men I have ever met (a true gentle giant) who was always eager to help anyone. Before moving to Port Washington, I lived in Farmingdale in a split-ranch home. In conversation about houses, we discussed the “give” in the floor on the main level. Without hesitation, Frank said I needed additional support in the basement and an I-beam would solve the problem. He also insisted that we could do it and he would order the I-beam. Three of us eventually got the beam into the basement, with Don Salvucci and I (not lightweights) on one side and Frank on the other side. We had adjustable columns to hold the beam tight against the flooring cross beams. Don and I struggled to hold this heavy I-beam and adjust the columns, while on the other end, Frank was holding up the beam with one hand while adjusting the column. What is impressive is that Frank was not violent (thank God), and didn’t possess huge, bulging muscles, but was just a big, strong man. I always believed he did not know his own strength. I guess delivering ice as a teenager in the morning before going to school had something to do with it.
Besides being a loyal fireman, a good businessman, a man of integrity and favorite son of his town, he was also a great family man. He and Rita made a beautiful couple. Frank was well-known in town and greeted everyone with a warm and gentle attitude. Although he never bowled, he visited me often at Bay Bowl, and it was as if I had a PR ambassador in the house, because he was friends with just about everyone. When he called you, it was usually a long conversation, as Frank would proceed “at his own pace” while asking many questions as to your health, family, business and current events—you had to love him.
The Nuzzolese family lost their patriarch, the town lost a precious asset and I lost a great friend.
—Joe Fraumeni
