Frank J. Pugliese

Frank J. Pugliese,75, of Bath, OH, passed away on April 22, 2024. He was born March 6, 1949, in Marina di Gioiosa, Calabria, Italy. He immigrated with his family to the US in March 1952. He graduated from Akron North HS in 1967. Frank played the violin in the North HS orchestra and in the Akron Youth Symphony.

He graduated from The University of Akron in 1972 with a degree in special education and went on to earn a master’s degree in school counseling. He was a proud member of Lone Star Fraternity where he developed lifelong friendships and supported the organization throughout his life.

Frank was always a hard worker, starting with a job as a paper delivery boy when he was still in elementary school and continuing through college. Frank also served in the Army Reserves and then began his career as a teacher of special needs children, guidance counselor, and assistant principal at Maple Heights Middle School where he retired after 31 years in public education. Frank was also very entrepreneurial. In addition to his full-time career in education, he developed several personal businesses including a chimney repair and cleaning service, Super Sweep Chimneys, of which he was very proud. He continued operating this business until the age of 73.

Frank was an integral part of his large family of brothers and sisters as well as extended family including his many nieces and nephews. He was always proud of all their accomplishments. He was a giant personality, full of fun and teasing. At any family gathering Frank could be counted on to liven it up. He will be dearly missed by all the family.

Above all Frank was most proud of his own family. He instilled within each of them a strong work ethic as evidenced by their own successful careers. He also dearly loved his grandchildren and enjoyed every visit to see them, and they loved him so much and enjoyed being with “grandpa.”

Preceding him in death were his parents, Salvatore and Rosina Pugliese; and his brother, Louis Pugliese. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 52 years, Amy (nee Pope); his son, Matthew (Jennifer) Pugliese of Evans, GA; and his daughter, Dana (Cole) Koning, of Carmel, IN; grandchildren, Lily, Luca, Leo Pugliese and Charlotte, Ella, Emilia Koning. He is also survived by his brothers, Joseph (Mary Jo) Pugliese of Copley, James (Kalle) Pugliese of Stow; and sisters, Santina (Fred) Ziegler of Tallmadge, and Lisa (Michael) Sullivan of Stow; sister-in-law, Athena Pugliese (Jim) Lakerdas of Chicago; brother-in-law, John (Joan) Pope of Georgia; sister-in-law, Linda Whitney of Akron, sister-in-law, Susan (Franklin) Proano, of Worthington, OH, and sister-in-law, Jennifer (John) Blickle, of Akron. He is also survived by his uncle and aunt, Attilio (Lina) Pugliese of Tallmadge, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Calling hours 4-7pm Friday at Ciriello and Carr Funeral Home, 39 S. Miller Rd. in Fairlawn.

Mass of Christian Burial 11am Saturday, April 27 at Guardian Angels Catholic Church. Interment at Moore's Chapel Cemetery.

Donations may be made for Parkinson’s research to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at give.michaeljfox.org

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