Frank S. Nicotera, 94 of Racine, passed away peacefully on Saturday at Kenosha Estates. Frank, a lifetime Racine resident, was born on September 1, 1922 to the late Ralph and Gabriella (DeFazio) Nicotera.
He is survived by his wife of more than 70 years, Evelyn (DeRose) Nicotera, children Michael Nicotera, Frank Nicotera, Patti (Randy) Kapellusch, grandchildren Nick Nicotera, Lauren Nicotera, Christopher Nicotera, Aiessandra Nicotera and Tenney Kapellusch, brother Ralph Nicotera, sister Virginia (Thomas) Linden and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters Mary (Nicotera) Cefalu, Sylvia (Nicotera) Quadracci, brother’s-in-law Joseph Cefalu and William Quadracci and sister-in-law Marge (Bonazza) Nicotera.
Frank served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps where he trained war dogs from 1942 to 1946. After returning home he worked for Grant’s Furniture and eventually opened his own business, Nicotera’s Floor Coverings, which he operated for 21 years before retiring in 1989.
Frank’s lifelong passion was golf. He loved to watch golf, play the game, and build and repair clubs. Johnson’s Park was his home away from home and he dearly missed playing in the last few years. He also enjoyed bowling and competed in many leagues.
Frank was a member of the VFW and the Roma Lodge where he worked for years on the annual festival. His lifelong devotion to the Sacred Heart Church saw him serving as an usher, member of the men’s choir, and he headed the planning for the Sacred Heart Festival for many years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on what would have been his 95th birthday on Friday, September 1, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, with Reverend Ricardo Martin officiating. Entombment with full military honors will follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum, Hwy 32. Family and friends may meet with the family Friday at church from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A Roma Lodge service will be held at 10:30
A special thank you to the Mark DeCheck, M.D., Caledonia Fire Department, the staff at All Saints Hospital cardiac department, and the Staff at Kenosha Estates for the care and kindness they provided to Frank in his final weeks.