Obituary for Frank J. Pennica
Frank J. Pennica, 98, of Fredonia, N.Y., died December 24, 2022 at the Chautauqua
Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Frank was born September 2, 1924, at home in Fredonia, the son of Loreto and Frances (San George) Pennica. Frank was a proud WWII United States Marine Corps Veteran who served in the First Marine Corp Division from the fall of 1943 to the spring of 1945. He fought on Peleliu Island and then on to the Battle of Okinawa where he was injured in the line of duty. He spent the next 6 months recuperating in various hospitals as he made his way back home. He was a recipient of a Purple Heart, an Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal, a Victory medal among several other military service pins and patches. Following his discharge from the Marine Corps, on November 9, 1946, he married the former Mamie Tampio. The couple had been married 40 years at the time of her passing in June of 1987. Frank was a skilled carpenter who, along with his brother Carl, built and remodeled many homes in Fredonia and throughout the county. He was later employed by the Village of Fredonia and worked at St. Columban’s on the Lake in his spare time. Carpentry was his passion and his children’s homes are filled with his creations.
Frank is survived by four daughters: Dr. Diane Pennica, PhD, (Charles Bucknor), of California, Christine Straight (Brian), of Fredonia, NY, Nancy Pennica (Wayne Ruting), of Colorado, and Mary Kelly (John), of Maryland; 6 grandchildren: Bettina Straight (Kristi), Emily Boylan (Jason), Amanda Straight, Zachary Burkland (Katie), Megan Rose (Brandon) and Andrew Kelly (Lauren); eight great-grandchildren: Natalie, Julia, and James Boylan, Colt and Cade Rose, Mason and Miles Burklan and Alaina Kelly; also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Besides his parents, Loreto and Frances Pennica, his wife Mamie Pennica, Frank is preceded in death by six sisters: Minnie LaPorte of Westfield, Bertha Valvo of Silver Creek; Carmella Privitera, Jennie Floccare-Bifaro, Frances Pantano and Ann Notaro, as well as one brother, Carl Pennica, all of Fredonia; also preceded in death by his longtime companion, Virginia DeCeilio. No prior visitation. Services are private. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Sheridan, NY. Memorial contributions in Frank’s memory may be made to the Fredonia Fire Dept., 80 W. Main Street, Fredonia, NY 14063 (fredoniafire.org) and Dunkirk- Fredonia Meals on Wheels, 196 Newton St Suite 5, Fredonia, NY 14063 (dfmealsonwheels.org). On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler,
Larson-Timko Funeral Home.
Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Frank was born September 2, 1924, at home in Fredonia, the son of Loreto and Frances (San George) Pennica. Frank was a proud WWII United States Marine Corps Veteran who served in the First Marine Corp Division from the fall of 1943 to the spring of 1945. He fought on Peleliu Island and then on to the Battle of Okinawa where he was injured in the line of duty. He spent the next 6 months recuperating in various hospitals as he made his way back home. He was a recipient of a Purple Heart, an Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal, a Victory medal among several other military service pins and patches. Following his discharge from the Marine Corps, on November 9, 1946, he married the former Mamie Tampio. The couple had been married 40 years at the time of her passing in June of 1987. Frank was a skilled carpenter who, along with his brother Carl, built and remodeled many homes in Fredonia and throughout the county. He was later employed by the Village of Fredonia and worked at St. Columban’s on the Lake in his spare time. Carpentry was his passion and his children’s homes are filled with his creations.
Frank is survived by four daughters: Dr. Diane Pennica, PhD, (Charles Bucknor), of California, Christine Straight (Brian), of Fredonia, NY, Nancy Pennica (Wayne Ruting), of Colorado, and Mary Kelly (John), of Maryland; 6 grandchildren: Bettina Straight (Kristi), Emily Boylan (Jason), Amanda Straight, Zachary Burkland (Katie), Megan Rose (Brandon) and Andrew Kelly (Lauren); eight great-grandchildren: Natalie, Julia, and James Boylan, Colt and Cade Rose, Mason and Miles Burklan and Alaina Kelly; also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Besides his parents, Loreto and Frances Pennica, his wife Mamie Pennica, Frank is preceded in death by six sisters: Minnie LaPorte of Westfield, Bertha Valvo of Silver Creek; Carmella Privitera, Jennie Floccare-Bifaro, Frances Pantano and Ann Notaro, as well as one brother, Carl Pennica, all of Fredonia; also preceded in death by his longtime companion, Virginia DeCeilio. No prior visitation. Services are private. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Sheridan, NY. Memorial contributions in Frank’s memory may be made to the Fredonia Fire Dept., 80 W. Main Street, Fredonia, NY 14063 (fredoniafire.org) and Dunkirk- Fredonia Meals on Wheels, 196 Newton St Suite 5, Fredonia, NY 14063 (dfmealsonwheels.org). On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler,
Larson-Timko Funeral Home.