Frank was born at Polyclinic Hospital in Manhattan, the first child of Alphonso and Bessie (nee Flashenberg) Torregrossa. He was given the Anglicized version of Francesco, the name of his paternal Grandfather and Great-Great Grandfather.
He grew up in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn enjoying the company of his younger brothers Alfred Anthony and Robert Edward with whom he shared one big bedroom in his parents' two family house on 14th Avenue. Frank would fondly talk of his Depression Era childhood. His favorite games were "Buck, Buck how many horns do I have up?" and marbles. Along with his brothers and little sister Maureen, he learned how to help his parents around the house. He often said he would have preferred sharing kitchen duties with his sister than being responsible for disposing of the trash each evening.
Frank took the middle name of Jesse in honor of his confirmation Godfather and paternal Uncle, Gesuri Torregrossa. Gesuri, like the children of many Sicilian and Italian immigrants, Anglicized his name.
According to his official file from the U.S. Navy, Frank attended a vocational high school for 3 ½ years but did not complete coursework to graduate. Instead, he enlisted on April 11, 1945 for 2 years of service. His enlistment classification was V-6 and he reported for active duty on May 23, 1945. Frank often told his first wife and children that he learned the value of team work, studying and learning during his time in the Navy. Frank's records show that he did well in all his training. On August 17, 1945 he was transferred to Naval Air Training Center in Corpus Christi, Texas where he served for 2 years.
In 1947 he completed his service and went to work with his father Alfonso at a firm that imported leather and reptile skins. While on a blind date he met his future wife. They were married in 1950. Frank continued to work in various companies that were part of the importing or tanning of leather but discontinued such work when he began to suffer from severe migraine headaches. He changed professions and became an Office Manager/Bookkeeper for small contracting and home heating oil companies in Brooklyn.
On weekends Frank loved to read novels by Taylor Caldwell or listen to the music of the Big Band Era. He had an extensive record collection. His favorite artists were Bennie Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Tommy Dorsey, Buddy Rich and Billie Holliday. He also enjoyed playing the organ and saxophone.
In 1980 he divorced his wife went on to make a new life for himself. Frank did well in his position at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development.
Frank passed away on January 13, 2007. Services were held at Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Staten Island.
Bio Updated: 10/6/2014
He grew up in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn enjoying the company of his younger brothers Alfred Anthony and Robert Edward with whom he shared one big bedroom in his parents' two family house on 14th Avenue. Frank would fondly talk of his Depression Era childhood. His favorite games were "Buck, Buck how many horns do I have up?" and marbles. Along with his brothers and little sister Maureen, he learned how to help his parents around the house. He often said he would have preferred sharing kitchen duties with his sister than being responsible for disposing of the trash each evening.
Frank took the middle name of Jesse in honor of his confirmation Godfather and paternal Uncle, Gesuri Torregrossa. Gesuri, like the children of many Sicilian and Italian immigrants, Anglicized his name.
According to his official file from the U.S. Navy, Frank attended a vocational high school for 3 ½ years but did not complete coursework to graduate. Instead, he enlisted on April 11, 1945 for 2 years of service. His enlistment classification was V-6 and he reported for active duty on May 23, 1945. Frank often told his first wife and children that he learned the value of team work, studying and learning during his time in the Navy. Frank's records show that he did well in all his training. On August 17, 1945 he was transferred to Naval Air Training Center in Corpus Christi, Texas where he served for 2 years.
In 1947 he completed his service and went to work with his father Alfonso at a firm that imported leather and reptile skins. While on a blind date he met his future wife. They were married in 1950. Frank continued to work in various companies that were part of the importing or tanning of leather but discontinued such work when he began to suffer from severe migraine headaches. He changed professions and became an Office Manager/Bookkeeper for small contracting and home heating oil companies in Brooklyn.
On weekends Frank loved to read novels by Taylor Caldwell or listen to the music of the Big Band Era. He had an extensive record collection. His favorite artists were Bennie Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Tommy Dorsey, Buddy Rich and Billie Holliday. He also enjoyed playing the organ and saxophone.
In 1980 he divorced his wife went on to make a new life for himself. Frank did well in his position at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development.
Frank passed away on January 13, 2007. Services were held at Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Staten Island.
Bio Updated: 10/6/2014
Frank was born at Polyclinic Hospital in Manhattan, the first child of Alphonso and Bessie (nee Flashenberg) Torregrossa. He was given the Anglicized version of Francesco, the name of his paternal Grandfather and Great-Great Grandfather.
He grew up in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn enjoying the company of his younger brothers Alfred Anthony and Robert Edward with whom he shared one big bedroom in his parents' two family house on 14th Avenue. Frank would fondly talk of his Depression Era childhood. His favorite games were "Buck, Buck how many horns do I have up?" and marbles. Along with his brothers and little sister Maureen, he learned how to help his parents around the house. He often said he would have preferred sharing kitchen duties with his sister than being responsible for disposing of the trash each evening.
Frank took the middle name of Jesse in honor of his confirmation Godfather and paternal Uncle, Gesuri Torregrossa. Gesuri, like the children of many Sicilian and Italian immigrants, Anglicized his name.
According to his official file from the U.S. Navy, Frank attended a vocational high school for 3 ½ years but did not complete coursework to graduate. Instead, he enlisted on April 11, 1945 for 2 years of service. His enlistment classification was V-6 and he reported for active duty on May 23, 1945. Frank often told his first wife and children that he learned the value of team work, studying and learning during his time in the Navy. Frank's records show that he did well in all his training. On August 17, 1945 he was transferred to Naval Air Training Center in Corpus Christi, Texas where he served for 2 years.
In 1947 he completed his service and went to work with his father Alfonso at a firm that imported leather and reptile skins. While on a blind date he met his future wife. They were married in 1950. Frank continued to work in various companies that were part of the importing or tanning of leather but discontinued such work when he began to suffer from severe migraine headaches. He changed professions and became an Office Manager/Bookkeeper for small contracting and home heating oil companies in Brooklyn.
On weekends Frank loved to read novels by Taylor Caldwell or listen to the music of the Big Band Era. He had an extensive record collection. His favorite artists were Bennie Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Tommy Dorsey, Buddy Rich and Billie Holliday. He also enjoyed playing the organ and saxophone.
In 1980 he divorced his wife went on to make a new life for himself. Frank did well in his position at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development.
Frank passed away on January 13, 2007. Services were held at Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Staten Island.
Bio Updated: 10/6/2014
He grew up in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn enjoying the company of his younger brothers Alfred Anthony and Robert Edward with whom he shared one big bedroom in his parents' two family house on 14th Avenue. Frank would fondly talk of his Depression Era childhood. His favorite games were "Buck, Buck how many horns do I have up?" and marbles. Along with his brothers and little sister Maureen, he learned how to help his parents around the house. He often said he would have preferred sharing kitchen duties with his sister than being responsible for disposing of the trash each evening.
Frank took the middle name of Jesse in honor of his confirmation Godfather and paternal Uncle, Gesuri Torregrossa. Gesuri, like the children of many Sicilian and Italian immigrants, Anglicized his name.
According to his official file from the U.S. Navy, Frank attended a vocational high school for 3 ½ years but did not complete coursework to graduate. Instead, he enlisted on April 11, 1945 for 2 years of service. His enlistment classification was V-6 and he reported for active duty on May 23, 1945. Frank often told his first wife and children that he learned the value of team work, studying and learning during his time in the Navy. Frank's records show that he did well in all his training. On August 17, 1945 he was transferred to Naval Air Training Center in Corpus Christi, Texas where he served for 2 years.
In 1947 he completed his service and went to work with his father Alfonso at a firm that imported leather and reptile skins. While on a blind date he met his future wife. They were married in 1950. Frank continued to work in various companies that were part of the importing or tanning of leather but discontinued such work when he began to suffer from severe migraine headaches. He changed professions and became an Office Manager/Bookkeeper for small contracting and home heating oil companies in Brooklyn.
On weekends Frank loved to read novels by Taylor Caldwell or listen to the music of the Big Band Era. He had an extensive record collection. His favorite artists were Bennie Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Tommy Dorsey, Buddy Rich and Billie Holliday. He also enjoyed playing the organ and saxophone.
In 1980 he divorced his wife went on to make a new life for himself. Frank did well in his position at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development.
Frank passed away on January 13, 2007. Services were held at Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Staten Island.
Bio Updated: 10/6/2014
