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Dominic La’ Bruzzi posted a condolence
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Eulogy Of Frank M. Labruzzi
My father, Frank was born in Brooklyn, New York to Anna and Rocco LaBruzzi on August 24, 1937. He had an older sister Josephine. We called her Aunt Jay. To his family who lived at North 6th Street, Jay was “Chickie,” and Frank was “Boobie.” He had a very large extended Italian family . He did not have an easy childhood growing up. His mother and father separated when Frank was only 3 years old. As a teenager, he left school to find work to help provide for the family. He also developed a special bond with one of his sister Jay’s son named Anthony. This very special bond lasted Frank’s entire life.
According to his military DD 214, he stopped going to school in the 10th. This is where Frank developed an unbelievable work ethic that would last his whole life. In 1954 with the assistance of his stepfather Joe Incorvaia, also known as “Old Man,” got employment on the New York Waterfront and joined the union of New York Shipping Association/International Longshoremen’s Association (NYSA/ILA). Frank got the nickname “Old Man Jr.” He married his first wife Carmela Nardone in 1960. At the age of 24 in 1961, he joined the United States Army. He served in the army until 1963 and took up the vocation of the automotive field. My father was a private and received three medals for service in the United States Army. He received the Expert Badge in using the 81 mm mortar, a Sharpshooter Badge using the M1 Garand rifle and received the Army of Occupation Medal for serving four months in Germany.
When Frank left the military in 1963, he returned to Brooklyn to continue working on the New York Waterfront. It was during this time that his marriage to Carmela ended and they divorced. Soon after, he was introduced to Josephine by her sister Antoinette who had known Frank. They married in 1965 and he adopted her daughter Joann as his daughter. They lived in Brooklyn for a short while before moving to 129th St., Richmond Hill, Queens. In 1967, they had their second daughter Dawn Marie and in May 1969, they had their 3rd child, a son, John Frank that they lost due to a premature birth. They raised Joann and Dawn Marie in Richmond Hill until 1974. They moved to Rosedale, New York in 1975 and their 4th child, their 2nd son Dominic was born. Frank continued his employment with the NY waterfront traveling all the way from Rosedale to Elizabeth, NJ, over 1 hour drive one way, to provide food, shelter, and clothing for his family. He eventually moved up to the position of Checker and continued in that position until he retired.
“The Rosedale House” as it was known was where Dawn and Dominic were raised. Frank enjoyed hunting and used his sharp shooting skills that he developed in the military to go with family and friends. He went hunting numerous times with a buddy, Jim Davis, and cousin Frank Barbaro. Frank was a baseball fan. He first followed the Brooklyn Dodgers and when they left NY, he then followed the NY Mets. It was very interesting at times when the rest of the family like the Yankees! Although his greatest love was washing, detailing, and waxing cars on a Sunday morning. He would take a break, eat his pumpernickel bagel with Temp Tee cream cheese. He actually would have a few bagels on a Sunday. This usually drove my mother crazy. He also enjoyed doing little house choirs and like to paint the interior of the house time to time. My mom and Dad signed me up for little league baseball. He was head coach for one of the years that I played. He watched me win 2 little league championships in 1982 and 1985. In 1985 he was given an Award for Appreciation for assisting the Head Coach when we won the Championship in 1985.
During his time in Rosedale, he saw Dawn Marie and I, graduate High School, He saw me receive my College Degree, had 2 daughters marry two great sons in laws, Robert and Peter, was a grandfather to 5 grandkids, Danielle, Lauren, Zachary, Kaitlyn and Kaylie.
Life moved on and in the early 2000’s he retired from the NYSA/ILA after 49 years of service with the Union. At the time of his retirement, he was in the top of all time members with the most service on the Waterfront. However, like most from that generation Frank really didn’t retire. He studied for his New York State Security Guard License and passed the test. He worked as a security guard for Clark Security in Woodside New York until 2007. In 2008, the Rosedale house was sold and my father Frank moved up with me to Pine Bush, New York and lived in a log cabin that I built on Route 302. My dad assisted in building the house and painted the interior walls of his home. Let’s just say he was a better painter that a Spackler. He accomplished this all while in his 70’s. He worked in the Newburgh Kirby Vacuum Office as a Kirby Vacuum Repair Specialist until 2011 and in 2012, he returned to security work but within a year or so was an able to continue doing that type of work. This is where Frank started to really take things easy and retire. We moved to Deer Haven Ln., in Gardiner, NY. It was during this time that this health deteriorated but he did not give up so fast. He developed a neighborly friendship with Tony Baxter and Harold Brown. He joined the American Legion Post 1308 had a friend Connie who assisted with my dad’s membership. He remained an active member until his death. In 2020 he was diagnosed with lung cancer in addition to his many ailments even contracted Covid 19. My dad, being the fighter that he was, defeated Covid 19. Unfortunately, with his continuation of deteriorating health it was just too much for Dad.
He was admitted to the hospital on 6/14/21 with pneumonia, intubated and conscious while his lungs continued to fail. Unfortunately, with all his ailments he was unable to breathe without a respirator and signaled that he did not want to continue while in this condition. We followed his wishes. He was surrounded by his family, his wife Josephine, his Daughter Dawn, and I who held his hand until he took his last breath.
Frank is going to be buried today in New Paltz Cemetery, Veteran’s Section, wearing his American Legion Post 1308 jacket, and US Army hat that he loved to wear!
Funerals are time to reflect and a time to remember. The book of Ecclesiastes 7:1-2 tells us that a good name is better than good oil and that its better to go to a house of morning then to a house of feasting. It’s occasions like this when we are mourning, that allows to reflex on our own life and to see if we can have a more meaningful way. Maybe can work on our relations we have with others but also establish or work on the relationship with our creator. When we reflect, unfortunately we can not change the past but we can change the future. As I stated earlier, funerals
bring back memories. What about Frank, will he only be remembered by those that were in this system.
Well lets take a minute and reason. Our creator is a beautiful and loving creator. He gave us his word, the Bible to help us understand and get to know him and his son Jesus Christ. He wants us to get to know him.
As you can see on the Memorial Pamphlet and memorial card, I have a scripture quoted from God’s word the Bible. It’s a scripture that brings comfort to me. I wanted to share that with you today. That scripture was written by the Apostle Luke and is found in the Book of Acts, 24:15 which reads (Acts 24:15) “And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” What a wonderful gift the Creator of Heaven and Earth, Jehovah God gave to those who died. A chance to be resurrected and given another chance at life, in a system free of sin, pain suffering and even free of death. A chance to correct things that were not addressed in this system. To be remembered by the Creator and his son Jesus is a powerful gift. Now as we reflect let us remember what can we do different while we are still here. Can I have a relationship with my Creator and his son Jesus Christ and all the gifts he offers to those who choose to know him. His bible and word is available for all to want to get to know him. That is up to us!
Prayer
This concludes the Eulogy of my Father, and I now hand over the service to the American Legion and the United States Army Color Guard for the burial that my father requested.
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Anthony Giunta uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
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My Uncle Frankie was a important part of my life he treated me like a son. I only know of good time’s with him. May you Rest In Peace with all God’s prayers and blessings I will always love you.
Anthony
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Dominic La' Bruzzi uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
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JoAnn’s wedding and Cousin Anthony’s wedding
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Dominic La’ Bruzzi uploaded photo(s)
Monday, June 21, 2021
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Frank and the Grandkids
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Dominic La’ Bruzzi uploaded photo(s)
Monday, June 21, 2021
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Frank and Dawn Marie
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Dominic La’ Bruzzi uploaded photo(s)
Monday, June 21, 2021
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Frank with family
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Dominic La’ Bruzzi uploaded photo(s)
Monday, June 21, 2021
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Frank and Josephine
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Dominic La’ Bruzzi uploaded photo(s)
Monday, June 21, 2021
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Frank in the US ARMY
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Dominic La’ Bruzzi uploaded photo(s)
Monday, June 21, 2021
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Frank living in Brooklyn
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Dominic La’ Bruzzi uploaded photo(s)
Monday, June 21, 2021
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Young Frank
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The family of Frank Martin Labruzzi uploaded a photo
Monday, June 21, 2021
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The family of Frank Martin Labruzzi uploaded a photo
Monday, June 21, 2021
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William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc. - Proudly Serving Pine Bush, NY and all of our surrounding communities.
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William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc.
1525 Burlingham Road
County Road 7
Pine Bush, NY 12566
Tel: 845-744-6008
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