Upon the passing of a warrior gentleman. Francesco "Kid" Fratalia Welterweight of Italy and Boston, MA, 1926 to 2008
Francesco "Frank" Fratalia a longtime resident of Charlestown, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. He was 82 years old
Born on July 3, 1926 in his beloved hometown of Civitavecchia, Italy, (a place he has since returned to some 61 times) "Kid", as he was aptly nicknamed by his dear friend Rocky Marciano, Fratalia began his amateur career in 1939 at the tender age of 13. He would go on to fight for 15 years, a journey that would include the horror and personal tragedy of World War II and the joy and agony of a boxing career that included 112 fights and spanned 3 decades and 2 continents.
As an amateur welterweight, Fratalia would have 81 fights in a 10 year period, which would see him become the regional state champion of Lazio, Italy, for 3 consecutive years (1946 to 1948) and being named to represent his country in the Olympics; an invitation he was unfortunately forced to decline due to an emergency appendectomy he had to undergo. In getting to this point in his career, he had won the Italian bronze medal in a regional "fight off" that would involve numerous later Italian champions, many he would defeat as both an amateur and a professional. Managed by the immortal Carlo Saraudi, the resident Italian boxing "guru" of his time, "Kid"
Fratalia would become one of his many boxing disciples who would go on to achieve both national and international championship notoriety and fame.
In 1948, Fratalia turned professional and in the span of one short and very successful year, he would convince his mentor Saraudi that a trip to America to compete with the world's best was in his immediate interest. Fratalia's career would land him in Brockton, MA in 1949 where he lived with his father's brother Antonio Fratalia and met up with the likes of well-known boxing people such as Ally Colombo, Rocky Marciano, Al Clemente, Frank Valenti and Russ Murray. "Kid" Fratalia would meet the love of his life, Gloria Vena of Roxbury, MA, in 1949 and within 55 days of this chance encounter would marry her, settle here, eventually have 6 children.
Throughout 1949 his American boxing experience would take him to Manny Almeda Auditorium in Providence, RI where he would fight 2 undercards to Rocky Marciano's main events. Marciano would go on to defeat both Joe Dominic and Phil Muscato in that year and Fratalia would beat Charlie Holmes (6 knockdowns/unanimous decision) and then KO another very good fighter, Joe Trippi in the 3rd round. At another point in his career, Fratalia would also fight as an undercard to a Joe Louis main event, in that same Rhode Island auditorium.
As many older former boxers and followers of the sport know, all too well perhaps, the money in those days was not there. You fought for personal pride, love of the sport and whatever money you were lucky to make. Fratalia's professional career returned back to Europe in 1951 when he would fight Gustav "Bubbie" Schultz in Bonn, Germany. Schultz at the time was the undefeated European middleweight champion. Fratalia would lose a fiercely contested split decision that included a "long and loud rancorous string of booing from the hometown German crowd at the time of decision." to quote a renowned boxing magazine of the day The Germans felt that the Italian had won the fight and in an unusual show German objectivity they voiced their disapproval. It was a loss for Fratalia but a confidence-builder just the same. Three weeks later a trip to Sardinia Island and a sellout crowd witnessed a Fratalia uppercut KO of the Island Champion. A champion whose KO fall literally broke the ropes of the ring and the endless 5 minutes of nervous and silent wait that followed to literally see if the man would ever wake up. Onto the cities of Rome, Milan, La Spezia, Bari, and back to Civitavecchia. The names of Minatelli, Campagna, Fuiano, Maretti, Ciardiello, Coluzzi and many others come to mind. Many of them went on to become Italian champions: Coluzzi took his talents to Australia after a Fratalia beating and went on to become the Australian champion. A return trip by "Kid" Fratalia to American soil in 1952 would include fights with Billy Andy (2), Eddie Andrews (2), Bobby King, Johnnie Walker, Joe Trippi and Charlie Holmes, to name a few. In places like the New Garden Gym, the Boston Arena, The Boston Garden, The Mechanics Building and the Manny Almeda Auditorium. Sparring with contemporaries such as "Kid" Gavalin, Irish Bob Murphy, Johnnie O'Brien and "the" Champ himself, Marciano Rocky had personally requested "Kid" Fratalia to come to upstate New York to train with him for the Ezzard Charles and Roland LaStarza fights and especially to bring with him his classic European boxing style and blazing foot speed. Fratalia seemed never more content than being in the company of Paul Pender, Tony DeMarco, and Johnnie Buckley and the many other greats of this era, this was just another day in the life of "Kid" Fratalia in a foreign land far away from home. America and this man were reaching a swift and lasting agreement.
When all was said and done, Fratalia had 112 fights in total, 81 amateur and 31 professional. He enjoyed 92 wins and endured 14 losses, along with 6 draws. In all 112 fights one thing is for sure: Fratalia emptied his bucket in every fight that he had, there was nothing left when his fights were over. A mark of a true warrior win, lose or draw. In October of 2008, "Kid" Fratalia was enshrined into the Massachusetts Ring 4 Boxing Hall of Fame, a tribute he was proud of and cherished to his grave. The real winners in all of this history and lore was his family and friends in his beloved Italy who were so proud of him and his children and grandchildren in America.
Hard work, fearless determination, respect and unfettered devotion to family was what mattered most to him. Francesco "Kid" Fratalia was truly a man to be reckoned with, a man to emulate, a man to respect, a man to fear, a father and husband to love, a friend to count on in time of need and a man of true character and uncommon kindness. His gifts of family value and his tireless work ethic, truly define him as a man and will be his lasting legacy. Like the so many others of
this unique and "greatest generation" their collective departure seemingly weakens our nations fundamental core. However their lives and their legacies also serve as a model of hope and inspiration to others.
Frank worked for The Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a lock and bridge operator for over 21 years. He retired in 1985. He was a member of The Ring Four Veterans Boxers Association.
Frank is the beloved husband of the late Gloria A. (Vena) Fratalia. He is the devoted father of Ernest Fratalia of Lynn, Vincent Fratalia and his wife Bunny of Tewksbury, Stephen Fratalia and his wife Anne of Norwood, Francesca Rossi and her husband Thomas of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Boston Police Detective Robert Fratalia and his wife Joanie of Bridgewater and Christopher Fratalia and his wife Kate of Wellington, Florida. He is the loving "Pa" to 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He is the beloved brother of Enrico and Angelo Fratalia, Adele DiGiacomo all of Civitavecchia, Italy and the late Maria Nardi, Vincent and Salvatore Fratalia. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Franks's Funeral will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2008, at 9 a.m. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown, followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, 55 Warren Street, Charlestown at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours will be on Friday, December 12, 2008, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
Francesco "Frank" Fratalia a longtime resident of Charlestown, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. He was 82 years old
Born on July 3, 1926 in his beloved hometown of Civitavecchia, Italy, (a place he has since returned to some 61 times) "Kid", as he was aptly nicknamed by his dear friend Rocky Marciano, Fratalia began his amateur career in 1939 at the tender age of 13. He would go on to fight for 15 years, a journey that would include the horror and personal tragedy of World War II and the joy and agony of a boxing career that included 112 fights and spanned 3 decades and 2 continents.
As an amateur welterweight, Fratalia would have 81 fights in a 10 year period, which would see him become the regional state champion of Lazio, Italy, for 3 consecutive years (1946 to 1948) and being named to represent his country in the Olympics; an invitation he was unfortunately forced to decline due to an emergency appendectomy he had to undergo. In getting to this point in his career, he had won the Italian bronze medal in a regional "fight off" that would involve numerous later Italian champions, many he would defeat as both an amateur and a professional. Managed by the immortal Carlo Saraudi, the resident Italian boxing "guru" of his time, "Kid"
Fratalia would become one of his many boxing disciples who would go on to achieve both national and international championship notoriety and fame.
In 1948, Fratalia turned professional and in the span of one short and very successful year, he would convince his mentor Saraudi that a trip to America to compete with the world's best was in his immediate interest. Fratalia's career would land him in Brockton, MA in 1949 where he lived with his father's brother Antonio Fratalia and met up with the likes of well-known boxing people such as Ally Colombo, Rocky Marciano, Al Clemente, Frank Valenti and Russ Murray. "Kid" Fratalia would meet the love of his life, Gloria Vena of Roxbury, MA, in 1949 and within 55 days of this chance encounter would marry her, settle here, eventually have 6 children.
Throughout 1949 his American boxing experience would take him to Manny Almeda Auditorium in Providence, RI where he would fight 2 undercards to Rocky Marciano's main events. Marciano would go on to defeat both Joe Dominic and Phil Muscato in that year and Fratalia would beat Charlie Holmes (6 knockdowns/unanimous decision) and then KO another very good fighter, Joe Trippi in the 3rd round. At another point in his career, Fratalia would also fight as an undercard to a Joe Louis main event, in that same Rhode Island auditorium.
As many older former boxers and followers of the sport know, all too well perhaps, the money in those days was not there. You fought for personal pride, love of the sport and whatever money you were lucky to make. Fratalia's professional career returned back to Europe in 1951 when he would fight Gustav "Bubbie" Schultz in Bonn, Germany. Schultz at the time was the undefeated European middleweight champion. Fratalia would lose a fiercely contested split decision that included a "long and loud rancorous string of booing from the hometown German crowd at the time of decision." to quote a renowned boxing magazine of the day The Germans felt that the Italian had won the fight and in an unusual show German objectivity they voiced their disapproval. It was a loss for Fratalia but a confidence-builder just the same. Three weeks later a trip to Sardinia Island and a sellout crowd witnessed a Fratalia uppercut KO of the Island Champion. A champion whose KO fall literally broke the ropes of the ring and the endless 5 minutes of nervous and silent wait that followed to literally see if the man would ever wake up. Onto the cities of Rome, Milan, La Spezia, Bari, and back to Civitavecchia. The names of Minatelli, Campagna, Fuiano, Maretti, Ciardiello, Coluzzi and many others come to mind. Many of them went on to become Italian champions: Coluzzi took his talents to Australia after a Fratalia beating and went on to become the Australian champion. A return trip by "Kid" Fratalia to American soil in 1952 would include fights with Billy Andy (2), Eddie Andrews (2), Bobby King, Johnnie Walker, Joe Trippi and Charlie Holmes, to name a few. In places like the New Garden Gym, the Boston Arena, The Boston Garden, The Mechanics Building and the Manny Almeda Auditorium. Sparring with contemporaries such as "Kid" Gavalin, Irish Bob Murphy, Johnnie O'Brien and "the" Champ himself, Marciano Rocky had personally requested "Kid" Fratalia to come to upstate New York to train with him for the Ezzard Charles and Roland LaStarza fights and especially to bring with him his classic European boxing style and blazing foot speed. Fratalia seemed never more content than being in the company of Paul Pender, Tony DeMarco, and Johnnie Buckley and the many other greats of this era, this was just another day in the life of "Kid" Fratalia in a foreign land far away from home. America and this man were reaching a swift and lasting agreement.
When all was said and done, Fratalia had 112 fights in total, 81 amateur and 31 professional. He enjoyed 92 wins and endured 14 losses, along with 6 draws. In all 112 fights one thing is for sure: Fratalia emptied his bucket in every fight that he had, there was nothing left when his fights were over. A mark of a true warrior win, lose or draw. In October of 2008, "Kid" Fratalia was enshrined into the Massachusetts Ring 4 Boxing Hall of Fame, a tribute he was proud of and cherished to his grave. The real winners in all of this history and lore was his family and friends in his beloved Italy who were so proud of him and his children and grandchildren in America.
Hard work, fearless determination, respect and unfettered devotion to family was what mattered most to him. Francesco "Kid" Fratalia was truly a man to be reckoned with, a man to emulate, a man to respect, a man to fear, a father and husband to love, a friend to count on in time of need and a man of true character and uncommon kindness. His gifts of family value and his tireless work ethic, truly define him as a man and will be his lasting legacy. Like the so many others of
this unique and "greatest generation" their collective departure seemingly weakens our nations fundamental core. However their lives and their legacies also serve as a model of hope and inspiration to others.
Frank worked for The Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a lock and bridge operator for over 21 years. He retired in 1985. He was a member of The Ring Four Veterans Boxers Association.
Frank is the beloved husband of the late Gloria A. (Vena) Fratalia. He is the devoted father of Ernest Fratalia of Lynn, Vincent Fratalia and his wife Bunny of Tewksbury, Stephen Fratalia and his wife Anne of Norwood, Francesca Rossi and her husband Thomas of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Boston Police Detective Robert Fratalia and his wife Joanie of Bridgewater and Christopher Fratalia and his wife Kate of Wellington, Florida. He is the loving "Pa" to 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He is the beloved brother of Enrico and Angelo Fratalia, Adele DiGiacomo all of Civitavecchia, Italy and the late Maria Nardi, Vincent and Salvatore Fratalia. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Franks's Funeral will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2008, at 9 a.m. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown, followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, 55 Warren Street, Charlestown at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours will be on Friday, December 12, 2008, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
Upon the passing of a warrior gentleman. Francesco "Kid" Fratalia Welterweight of Italy and Boston, MA, 1926 to 2008
Francesco "Frank" Fratalia a longtime resident of Charlestown, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. He was 82 years old
Born on July 3, 1926 in his beloved hometown of Civitavecchia, Italy, (a place he has since returned to some 61 times) "Kid", as he was aptly nicknamed by his dear friend Rocky Marciano, Fratalia began his amateur career in 1939 at the tender age of 13. He would go on to fight for 15 years, a journey that would include the horror and personal tragedy of World War II and the joy and agony of a boxing career that included 112 fights and spanned 3 decades and 2 continents.
As an amateur welterweight, Fratalia would have 81 fights in a 10 year period, which would see him become the regional state champion of Lazio, Italy, for 3 consecutive years (1946 to 1948) and being named to represent his country in the Olympics; an invitation he was unfortunately forced to decline due to an emergency appendectomy he had to undergo. In getting to this point in his career, he had won the Italian bronze medal in a regional "fight off" that would involve numerous later Italian champions, many he would defeat as both an amateur and a professional. Managed by the immortal Carlo Saraudi, the resident Italian boxing "guru" of his time, "Kid"
Fratalia would become one of his many boxing disciples who would go on to achieve both national and international championship notoriety and fame.
In 1948, Fratalia turned professional and in the span of one short and very successful year, he would convince his mentor Saraudi that a trip to America to compete with the world's best was in his immediate interest. Fratalia's career would land him in Brockton, MA in 1949 where he lived with his father's brother Antonio Fratalia and met up with the likes of well-known boxing people such as Ally Colombo, Rocky Marciano, Al Clemente, Frank Valenti and Russ Murray. "Kid" Fratalia would meet the love of his life, Gloria Vena of Roxbury, MA, in 1949 and within 55 days of this chance encounter would marry her, settle here, eventually have 6 children.
Throughout 1949 his American boxing experience would take him to Manny Almeda Auditorium in Providence, RI where he would fight 2 undercards to Rocky Marciano's main events. Marciano would go on to defeat both Joe Dominic and Phil Muscato in that year and Fratalia would beat Charlie Holmes (6 knockdowns/unanimous decision) and then KO another very good fighter, Joe Trippi in the 3rd round. At another point in his career, Fratalia would also fight as an undercard to a Joe Louis main event, in that same Rhode Island auditorium.
As many older former boxers and followers of the sport know, all too well perhaps, the money in those days was not there. You fought for personal pride, love of the sport and whatever money you were lucky to make. Fratalia's professional career returned back to Europe in 1951 when he would fight Gustav "Bubbie" Schultz in Bonn, Germany. Schultz at the time was the undefeated European middleweight champion. Fratalia would lose a fiercely contested split decision that included a "long and loud rancorous string of booing from the hometown German crowd at the time of decision." to quote a renowned boxing magazine of the day The Germans felt that the Italian had won the fight and in an unusual show German objectivity they voiced their disapproval. It was a loss for Fratalia but a confidence-builder just the same. Three weeks later a trip to Sardinia Island and a sellout crowd witnessed a Fratalia uppercut KO of the Island Champion. A champion whose KO fall literally broke the ropes of the ring and the endless 5 minutes of nervous and silent wait that followed to literally see if the man would ever wake up. Onto the cities of Rome, Milan, La Spezia, Bari, and back to Civitavecchia. The names of Minatelli, Campagna, Fuiano, Maretti, Ciardiello, Coluzzi and many others come to mind. Many of them went on to become Italian champions: Coluzzi took his talents to Australia after a Fratalia beating and went on to become the Australian champion. A return trip by "Kid" Fratalia to American soil in 1952 would include fights with Billy Andy (2), Eddie Andrews (2), Bobby King, Johnnie Walker, Joe Trippi and Charlie Holmes, to name a few. In places like the New Garden Gym, the Boston Arena, The Boston Garden, The Mechanics Building and the Manny Almeda Auditorium. Sparring with contemporaries such as "Kid" Gavalin, Irish Bob Murphy, Johnnie O'Brien and "the" Champ himself, Marciano Rocky had personally requested "Kid" Fratalia to come to upstate New York to train with him for the Ezzard Charles and Roland LaStarza fights and especially to bring with him his classic European boxing style and blazing foot speed. Fratalia seemed never more content than being in the company of Paul Pender, Tony DeMarco, and Johnnie Buckley and the many other greats of this era, this was just another day in the life of "Kid" Fratalia in a foreign land far away from home. America and this man were reaching a swift and lasting agreement.
When all was said and done, Fratalia had 112 fights in total, 81 amateur and 31 professional. He enjoyed 92 wins and endured 14 losses, along with 6 draws. In all 112 fights one thing is for sure: Fratalia emptied his bucket in every fight that he had, there was nothing left when his fights were over. A mark of a true warrior win, lose or draw. In October of 2008, "Kid" Fratalia was enshrined into the Massachusetts Ring 4 Boxing Hall of Fame, a tribute he was proud of and cherished to his grave. The real winners in all of this history and lore was his family and friends in his beloved Italy who were so proud of him and his children and grandchildren in America.
Hard work, fearless determination, respect and unfettered devotion to family was what mattered most to him. Francesco "Kid" Fratalia was truly a man to be reckoned with, a man to emulate, a man to respect, a man to fear, a father and husband to love, a friend to count on in time of need and a man of true character and uncommon kindness. His gifts of family value and his tireless work ethic, truly define him as a man and will be his lasting legacy. Like the so many others of
this unique and "greatest generation" their collective departure seemingly weakens our nations fundamental core. However their lives and their legacies also serve as a model of hope and inspiration to others.
Frank worked for The Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a lock and bridge operator for over 21 years. He retired in 1985. He was a member of The Ring Four Veterans Boxers Association.
Frank is the beloved husband of the late Gloria A. (Vena) Fratalia. He is the devoted father of Ernest Fratalia of Lynn, Vincent Fratalia and his wife Bunny of Tewksbury, Stephen Fratalia and his wife Anne of Norwood, Francesca Rossi and her husband Thomas of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Boston Police Detective Robert Fratalia and his wife Joanie of Bridgewater and Christopher Fratalia and his wife Kate of Wellington, Florida. He is the loving "Pa" to 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He is the beloved brother of Enrico and Angelo Fratalia, Adele DiGiacomo all of Civitavecchia, Italy and the late Maria Nardi, Vincent and Salvatore Fratalia. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Franks's Funeral will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2008, at 9 a.m. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown, followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, 55 Warren Street, Charlestown at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours will be on Friday, December 12, 2008, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
Francesco "Frank" Fratalia a longtime resident of Charlestown, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. He was 82 years old
Born on July 3, 1926 in his beloved hometown of Civitavecchia, Italy, (a place he has since returned to some 61 times) "Kid", as he was aptly nicknamed by his dear friend Rocky Marciano, Fratalia began his amateur career in 1939 at the tender age of 13. He would go on to fight for 15 years, a journey that would include the horror and personal tragedy of World War II and the joy and agony of a boxing career that included 112 fights and spanned 3 decades and 2 continents.
As an amateur welterweight, Fratalia would have 81 fights in a 10 year period, which would see him become the regional state champion of Lazio, Italy, for 3 consecutive years (1946 to 1948) and being named to represent his country in the Olympics; an invitation he was unfortunately forced to decline due to an emergency appendectomy he had to undergo. In getting to this point in his career, he had won the Italian bronze medal in a regional "fight off" that would involve numerous later Italian champions, many he would defeat as both an amateur and a professional. Managed by the immortal Carlo Saraudi, the resident Italian boxing "guru" of his time, "Kid"
Fratalia would become one of his many boxing disciples who would go on to achieve both national and international championship notoriety and fame.
In 1948, Fratalia turned professional and in the span of one short and very successful year, he would convince his mentor Saraudi that a trip to America to compete with the world's best was in his immediate interest. Fratalia's career would land him in Brockton, MA in 1949 where he lived with his father's brother Antonio Fratalia and met up with the likes of well-known boxing people such as Ally Colombo, Rocky Marciano, Al Clemente, Frank Valenti and Russ Murray. "Kid" Fratalia would meet the love of his life, Gloria Vena of Roxbury, MA, in 1949 and within 55 days of this chance encounter would marry her, settle here, eventually have 6 children.
Throughout 1949 his American boxing experience would take him to Manny Almeda Auditorium in Providence, RI where he would fight 2 undercards to Rocky Marciano's main events. Marciano would go on to defeat both Joe Dominic and Phil Muscato in that year and Fratalia would beat Charlie Holmes (6 knockdowns/unanimous decision) and then KO another very good fighter, Joe Trippi in the 3rd round. At another point in his career, Fratalia would also fight as an undercard to a Joe Louis main event, in that same Rhode Island auditorium.
As many older former boxers and followers of the sport know, all too well perhaps, the money in those days was not there. You fought for personal pride, love of the sport and whatever money you were lucky to make. Fratalia's professional career returned back to Europe in 1951 when he would fight Gustav "Bubbie" Schultz in Bonn, Germany. Schultz at the time was the undefeated European middleweight champion. Fratalia would lose a fiercely contested split decision that included a "long and loud rancorous string of booing from the hometown German crowd at the time of decision." to quote a renowned boxing magazine of the day The Germans felt that the Italian had won the fight and in an unusual show German objectivity they voiced their disapproval. It was a loss for Fratalia but a confidence-builder just the same. Three weeks later a trip to Sardinia Island and a sellout crowd witnessed a Fratalia uppercut KO of the Island Champion. A champion whose KO fall literally broke the ropes of the ring and the endless 5 minutes of nervous and silent wait that followed to literally see if the man would ever wake up. Onto the cities of Rome, Milan, La Spezia, Bari, and back to Civitavecchia. The names of Minatelli, Campagna, Fuiano, Maretti, Ciardiello, Coluzzi and many others come to mind. Many of them went on to become Italian champions: Coluzzi took his talents to Australia after a Fratalia beating and went on to become the Australian champion. A return trip by "Kid" Fratalia to American soil in 1952 would include fights with Billy Andy (2), Eddie Andrews (2), Bobby King, Johnnie Walker, Joe Trippi and Charlie Holmes, to name a few. In places like the New Garden Gym, the Boston Arena, The Boston Garden, The Mechanics Building and the Manny Almeda Auditorium. Sparring with contemporaries such as "Kid" Gavalin, Irish Bob Murphy, Johnnie O'Brien and "the" Champ himself, Marciano Rocky had personally requested "Kid" Fratalia to come to upstate New York to train with him for the Ezzard Charles and Roland LaStarza fights and especially to bring with him his classic European boxing style and blazing foot speed. Fratalia seemed never more content than being in the company of Paul Pender, Tony DeMarco, and Johnnie Buckley and the many other greats of this era, this was just another day in the life of "Kid" Fratalia in a foreign land far away from home. America and this man were reaching a swift and lasting agreement.
When all was said and done, Fratalia had 112 fights in total, 81 amateur and 31 professional. He enjoyed 92 wins and endured 14 losses, along with 6 draws. In all 112 fights one thing is for sure: Fratalia emptied his bucket in every fight that he had, there was nothing left when his fights were over. A mark of a true warrior win, lose or draw. In October of 2008, "Kid" Fratalia was enshrined into the Massachusetts Ring 4 Boxing Hall of Fame, a tribute he was proud of and cherished to his grave. The real winners in all of this history and lore was his family and friends in his beloved Italy who were so proud of him and his children and grandchildren in America.
Hard work, fearless determination, respect and unfettered devotion to family was what mattered most to him. Francesco "Kid" Fratalia was truly a man to be reckoned with, a man to emulate, a man to respect, a man to fear, a father and husband to love, a friend to count on in time of need and a man of true character and uncommon kindness. His gifts of family value and his tireless work ethic, truly define him as a man and will be his lasting legacy. Like the so many others of
this unique and "greatest generation" their collective departure seemingly weakens our nations fundamental core. However their lives and their legacies also serve as a model of hope and inspiration to others.
Frank worked for The Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a lock and bridge operator for over 21 years. He retired in 1985. He was a member of The Ring Four Veterans Boxers Association.
Frank is the beloved husband of the late Gloria A. (Vena) Fratalia. He is the devoted father of Ernest Fratalia of Lynn, Vincent Fratalia and his wife Bunny of Tewksbury, Stephen Fratalia and his wife Anne of Norwood, Francesca Rossi and her husband Thomas of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Boston Police Detective Robert Fratalia and his wife Joanie of Bridgewater and Christopher Fratalia and his wife Kate of Wellington, Florida. He is the loving "Pa" to 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He is the beloved brother of Enrico and Angelo Fratalia, Adele DiGiacomo all of Civitavecchia, Italy and the late Maria Nardi, Vincent and Salvatore Fratalia. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Franks's Funeral will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2008, at 9 a.m. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown, followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, 55 Warren Street, Charlestown at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours will be on Friday, December 12, 2008, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
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