Frank J. "Custy" Custodero

Mr. Frank J. "Custy" Custodero, age 89, of Utica, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the Masonic Care Community of NY. Frank was born in Utica on December 7, 1922, the son of the late Oranzo and Anna (Iaia) Custodero. He was raised and educated locally, attending T.R. Proctor High School. A proud veteran of the United States Army, he honorably served his country from 1943-1945 during World War II, stationed in England, Germany, and France. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium where the courage of the American Soldier was tested against great adversity. At one time, he was married to the former Josephine Piacentino who passed away in 1972. Frank was once involved in the retail business at the Boston Store, and Bergers Department Store. He also served as a Book Store operator at the SUNY Institute of Technology-Utica/Rome, retiring in 1992. Frank was wed the former Martha Tanoury on August 25, 1973; Martha passed away on July 1, 2002. Bestowed with a great allegiance to his country and community, Frank was instrumental in the inception of the Ft. Schuyler Post #1290, Kossuth Ave., where he served as Commander as well Commander of the Oneida County American Legion, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.). He was also a member of the Forty & Eight Voiture. He was proud of his annual reunions with his fellow servicemen where he could socialize and share patriotic bonding. During his spare time, he enjoyed golfing and card playing and time spent with his family and friends. His life was well traveled and he lived it to its fullest. He was of the Catholic faith. Frank is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, JoAnne and Paul Lehman of Vernon, NY; his sons and daughter-in-law, Dominick F. and Donna Custodero of Exton, PA, and Frank S. Custodero and Jacqueline Wuest of New Hartford; and his grandchildren, Briana Custodero, and Nicholas Custodero, both of PA. He also leaves many special nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, brother-in-law Tom Damiano; sisters-in-law, Anna Marie Piacentino, Philomena DeSimone, and Sarah Piacentino; and many special friends. He was predeceased by his sisters and brothers-in-law, Mae and Sam Spetts, and Vittoria "Vicky" and Ulderico Rotundo; his brothers and sister-in-law, Dominick Custodero and his spouses Sylvia and Sarah, Bart Custodero, and Florio "Amer" and Maura “Mary” Custodero; and his in-laws Anne and Floyd Antonelli, Theresa Ambrose, Albert Piacentino, and Raymond Piacentino, Anthony Tanoury, Gloria "Rosalie" Tanoury, Sadie B. Tanoury, Louise Damiano, and Ann Weresynski. The family holds a deep appreciation for the nurses and staff of Wiley Hall and the Amherst Unit at the Masonic Care Community of NY for their care and compassion in tending to Frank. While residing at the Masonic Care Community of NY, Frank was blessed to have known the friendship of Thomas Becker from the Amherst unit and the two often reminisced together and enjoyed a good game of cards. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc. 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Members of the Ft. Schuyler Post #1290 will offer ritualistic services at the funeral home at 6:00. Frank's funeral service and Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday morning at 9:00 from the funeral home and at 10:00 Our Lady of the Rosary Church where his Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Felix Colosimo and Military Honors conferred. Interment will take place in St. Agnes Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Frank J. "Custy" Custodero

December 7, 1922 - October 27, 2012