~ For I must love because I live, and life in me is what you give.

On Thursday, October 1, 2020, Franklyn "Frank" Leonard Cutrone passed away peacefully at home with his wife, Philomena Madden, at his side after a battle with cancer.  Frank was born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1931 in Brooklyn, New York.

Superlatives are the only way to describe this man among men.  He was comfortable in his own skin and an inspiration to all who experienced his innate goodness and humanity.  There was not a person he met, from toddlers onward, who were not touched by him.  Frank's memory for people, places, and events was encyclopedic.  He traveled far and wide, including two cruises around the world, almost every state in the union, multiple countries in Europe, and remembered all of it, including the smallest of details.

Growing up in Brooklyn, Frank was a devoted Brooklyn Dodgers fan abandoning them only when they moved to Los Angeles.  He left New York upon enlisting in the United States Navy as an Ensign.  He remained on active duty for 4 years followed by 23 years in the reserves, retiring as a Commander.  While serving in the Azores, Frank took some leave, met his first wife, Trudy, a native of Austria, and married her after a 3 month courtship and less than 72 hours of "together" time.  Frank and Trudy raised their family of 5 children, Claudia, Cynthia, Christine, Lee, and Peter, mainly in Pittsburgh. He was a dedicated father, bringing the family on many trips in a VW bus!  Creating memories and enjoying family time were always priorities with him. Frank and Trudy remained married for 60 years, ending in 2015 with Trudy's death.  Frank met the 2 ^nd love of his life, Philomena Madden, in 2017 and they were married in July of 2020.  During his years with Philomena, they circumnavigated the globe, visited Europe several times, and kept a busy social schedule with friends and family.

While employed with Westinghouse, he and his family moved multiple times retiring from Westinghouse only to become an innkeeper with Trudy and their youngest son, Peter. Full-time retirement came upon ending their innkeeper stint of 7 years.  After leaving the inn, Frank and Trudy traveled the United States, looking for the optimal place to finally settle down.  After visiting each of their children and upon some heavy deliberations, they decided on Pensacola as their number one choice.  Upon settling in Pensacola, Frank quickly demonstrated his strong sense of civic responsibility and community involvement. He was a strong supporter of the UWF leisure learning program. He worked weekly at the Alfred Washburn Center, providing support to the homeless, served as treasurer of his neighborhood homeowner's association, and treasurer for 20 years of the Scenic Highway Foundation.  Frank also served on the Board of the Pensacola Opera for many years and was an ardent supporter of the arts in Pensacola.  He served on the Escambia County Citizens' Coalition and, upon the urging of his grandson, Ryan, became a proud member of the Knights of Columbus.  Of all his accomplishments, Frank was most proud of his work at Literacy Volunteers of America as well as serving over 6000 hours as a tour guide/volunteer at the National Naval Aviation Museum, NAS Pensacola.

Frank was a devoted grandfather, never forgetting a grandchild's birthday or graduation.  Life was to be celebrated, in Frank's opinion.  Constancy of purpose was his life's creed.  Surviving him is Philomena Madden (wife, Pensacola), Claudia Sacavage (daughter, Florida), Cynthia Keener (daughter, California), Franklyn (Lee) Cutrone, Jr., (son, New Jersey), and Peter Cutrone (son, Maine), Eileen DeAndrea (step-daughter, Maryland), Jeanne Gummel, (step-daughter, Tennessee), David Madden, (step-son, New York), and Elizabeth Longsworth, (step-daughter, Pensacola), and 24 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Trudy (2015), and his daughter, Christine Hanson (2012).

Visitation will be held 12:00noon until a Funeral Mass to begin at 2:00pm Friday, October 16, 2020 at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 9945 Hillview Drive, Pensacola, Florida 32514.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Frank's name may be made to any of the following organizations:

* Pensacola Opera, 75 South Tarragona Street, Pensacola, FL 32502

* National Naval Aviation Museum Volunteer Program, 1750 Radford Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32508

* Catholic Relief Services, 229 Peachtree Center Avenue NE, Number 925, Atlanta, GA 30303

* Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 1752 Pensacola, FL 32591

* Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 9945 Hillview Drive, Pensacola, FL 32514

* The Haven of Our Lady of Peace Nursing Home, 1900 Summit Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32503

* St. Peter's University, 2641 John F. Kennedy Blvd. West, Jersey City, NJ 07306

* Habitat for Humanity, 300 W. Leonard Street, Pensacola, FL 32501

* Sierra Club, 1990 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

* World Wildlife Federation, 1250 24 ^th Street NW, PO Box 97180, Washington, DC 20090

* Manna Food Bank, 3030 N. E Street, Pensacola, FL 32501

* Meals on Wheels, New York, NY { https://www.citymeals.org/support-us/donate-now }