Caitlin Wright Binning, MSW - Once Upon a Time I Had a Friend Named Frank

Frank John Falzoi

Falzoi, Frank John, 61, of Chester, a retired Navy chief corpsman who served in the Vietnam War as an independent duty corpsman with the Marine Corps, husband of Judith Parker Falzoi.

July 20, 2001
Richmond Times-Dispatch

This picture of Frank and his wife Judy was taken at a party in 1988.

Frank and Judy Falzoi
June 29, 1988

Frank and Caitlin
June 29, 1988

Caitlin and Frank were classmates at the community college and became close friends.

I Will Remember You, Frank

This photo was taken at a surprise birthday party for me, I think I was turning 20. My roommate June did the organizing, it was the first birthday party I ever had and I was actually surprised.

Frank John Falzoi, Remembrances by Caitlin K. Wright

When Judy asked me to do a reflection on Frank, I cringed. How is it possible to put all that Frank has been in my life into a few short minutes? So instead, I offer you some verbal snapshots.

When Frank and I first met, a few folks thought we made an odd pair. I am not sure quite why an 18-year-old defiant girl and middle-aged married peacenik raised eyebrows. My mother for instance, was convinced that Frank was up to no good, hanging out with her kid. But when they actually met, Mom and others quickly realized that Frank was definitely the one at risk of being corrupted, not me. And I can honestly say I gave it a good try!

Judy used to call me when she was going out of town and ask me to come play with Frank and keep him occupied in her absence. So I rented the absolutely most tasteless films for us to watch, dragged him through a variety of bars, restaurants and street festivals, doing my best to horrify him. It never worked, he just grinned and asked what we were doing next. Frank wandered happily with me anywhere I had an itch to go, and gracefully showered me with unconditional love at all times -- even when I introduced him to casual acquaintances or strangers as my ex-husband who left me for a younger woman.

Frank cooked me wonderful dinners when I was a dirt-poor college student who lived on oodles of noodles. He continued to feed both my stomach and my spirit for many years. We celebrated birthdays, graduations and holidays together. We held hands through pain and sadness together. We are holding hands still.

I feel like I grew into a decent person under the umbrella of the unconditional love, the acceptance and peace Frank exuded, and the beauty he saw in the world. Frank and Judy have been part of my family and my world for so long, I can't imagine life without them. Fortunately I have the many lessons he taught me about truth, peace and love, to take with me where ever I go. So Frank will be with me forever.

July 23, 2001

Frank gave me this photo in a magnetized case which hung on my fridge for many years. So I think he kinda liked this one of himself!

I Will Remember the Good Times, Frank

This photo is of the graduation "Luau" we had when Frank and I graduated from the human services program at the local community college. Frank was trying to find the 2nd career post military, and I was trying to decide what to be when I grew up (will let you know as soon as I figure that out). The year was 1986, I think. I was showing off the horridly tacky plaid earrings he and Judy gave me as a present (we still war at tackiest presents).

When I went down for Franks funeral, I took the presents I did not have a chance to give Frank -- a plastic statue of liberty night light (mighty fine I tell you) and for Judy, an obscene pair of gag eye glasses. I gave them to her the day before the funeral, plugged in the night light, and we all passed the freaky glasses around and laughed.

Graduation Luau
1986

Frank is shown here receiving an award for exemplary community service, shortly before we graduated, sometime in 1986.

And I Will Miss You, Frank

"I am sad for me and Judy and others who loved him and got such wonderful unconditional love from him. He is in that tiny category called no matter what, Frank will be there, love me and help me anyway he can."

Caitlin Wright Binning
July 20, 2001

Richmond Times-Dispatch

DEATHS COMPILED BY NEWS STAFF

Jul 20, 2001

FALZOI Frank John Falzoi, Chief Corpsman, U.S. Navy (ret), 61, of Chester, died July 18, 2001 in Hunter McGuire Veterans Hospital. Chief Falzoi was born in Hornell, New York, a son of the late Salvadore V. and Ethel Bailey Falzoi. He retired as a Chief Corpsman after 20 years of service; his duty time included two tours of duty in Vietnam as an Independent Duty Corpsman with the USMC. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Prince George where he taught the adolescent confirmation class for 10 years and was a member of Pax Christi. Survivors include his wife, Judith Parker Falzoi of the home; a son, Thomas Falzoi of Tallahassee, Fla.; a daughter, Margaret M. Marquardt of Panama City, Fla.; two grandchildren, McKensey and Ethan Marquardt of Panama City, Fla.; a sister, Melanie Falzoi of Hornell, New York; two brothers, Robert Falzoi of Laurel, Md., Jeffrey Falzoi of Rochester, New York; aunts, Margaret, Rita and Lena of Hornell, New York. A Mass of the Resurrection will be offered at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 21 in Sacred Heart Church, 4415 County Dr., Prince George, with Father James Gallagher celebrant. The interment, with military honors, will follow in the church cemetery. A Christian Wake service will be held at 7 p.m. tonight in the church. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to his memory to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or to Pax Christi. The family is being served by the Petersburg Chapter of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home.

Epilogue

I'm Dick Falzoi, Frank's cousin. I enjoyed and appreciated the piece you did on him. You revealed many things about Frank that I was unaware of. I completely lost track of him after High School. Actually, I don't think many of Frank's family back here in NY knew much about him. I always wondered why. As a kid, I saw a lot of Frank, and remember him fondly. I missed him when he made a rare appearance back here at his grandmother's funeral. From what I hear though, he was joy to be around.

Thanks again for your tribute. It sure warmed the heart.

Dick Falzoi
January 31, 2002