Obituary of Frank Tralongo

Frank Tralongo was granted eternal rest on October 12, 2016, following a brief illness. Mr. Tralongo was born in East Harlem, New York on July 30, 1930, the third of four children born to Antonio and Rosaria Tralongo. As a youth, he worked in the Washington Market in lower Manhattan in his father’s produce business. Following high school and a brief education in radio and telecommunications, he entered the United States Army and served for two years during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Corporal. After military service, Mr. Tralongo began a career as an overseas telecommunications and telegraph operator for ITT in Manhattan. He held that position for 38 years, retiring in 1990. While a guest at a friend's wedding, he met Miriam Smith. A true instance of love at first sight, the couple were married on October 5, 1957 and remained an inseparable and devoted couple for nearly 60 years. Mr. and Mrs. Tralongo lived briefly in Queens shortly after their wedding, but eventually settled in the Arrochar section of Staten Island during 1961. Mr. Tralongo often mused how Staten Island changed so much over the years from his trips there as a young boy from East Harlem, seemingly a world away. What had been a distant vacation destination eventually became the bustling suburb where he raised his family - the borough he came to love and call home for over 30 years. When his family was young, he frequently vacationed in the Poconos at the resort community of Fawn Lake Forest. He built a vacation home there in 1988 and when his daughters were grown, he and Miriam settled there on a full-time basis during 1998. An avid outdoorsman and gardener, he spent a good deal of his leisure time working in his expansive garden and maintaining an impressive array of feeders for wild birds. He could tell you how and when to grow any flower, vegetable or fruit tree and was forever generous, always eager to send his family home from a visit with a young plant or spice from the garden. He also enjoyed woodworking, crafting beautifully monogrammed signs for his children and grandchildren. Their homes proudly display the fruits of his labor, including not only the signs, but bird and butterfly houses, as well. Though physically active for most of his life, he would occasionally pause to take in a boxing match or watch his beloved New York Yankees. However, his true passion and love was his family. He spent many hours throughout the years with them and his nine grandchildren, regaling them with stories of his time in the military, as a youngster growing up in East Harlem, or proudly recounting the many notable people to whom he had spoken during his career at ITT. A favorite pastime was traveling the short distance from his home to sit at the edge of nearby Fawn Lake to enjoy the shade as his children and grandchildren flocked around him. He will be remembered as the true patriarch of the family, someone to whom his family looked for support, guidance, wisdom and of course, humor. Always a pillar of integrity and strength, there was never a time when he couldn't make those around him smile, laugh, and be so grateful to be in his presence. He will be missed more than words can express. Mr. Tralongo is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Miriam, his daughters, Sarina Clauss, Veronica Maguina, Christine Bavaro and Francine Merendino, their spouses, Charlie, Juan, Peter and James, grandchildren Ryan, Sean and Charlie Clauss, Austin, William and Rebecca Bavaro and Jack, Luke and Natalie Merendino. Mr. Tralongo is also survived by his siblings, Grace Sansone and Philip Tralongo. He was predeceased by his sister, the late Rose Puccio, in 2003. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that a donation in his memory be made to the Lackawaxen Township Fire Department, Volunteer Station 27, 574 Westcolang Road, Hawley, Pennsylvania 18428. Viewing will be held on Sunday, October 16, 2016 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Teeters Funeral Chapel, 505 Church Street, Hawley, Pennsylvania 18428. Final services to be held Monday, October 17, 2016, also at Teeters Funeral Chapel, at 10:30 AM, with interment to follow. Military Honors will, be conducted at graveside.