Obituary of Frank Gerardo Stefanelli

South Hadley - Francisco (Frank) Gerardo Stefanelli passed away October 15, 2022, surrounded by loved ones, a day after his 89th birthday. He was born on October 14,1933 in Newark, NJ to Felice “Philip” and Margaret (Guida) Stefanelli. He was raised in Newark, NJ, and as a young teenager moved to Brooklyn, where he met the love of his life, Patricia (Pat) Lenahan, at sixteen years old. After marrying in 1953, Frank enlisted in the US Air Force where he went on to serve his country for twenty years, living in several different countries and raising his four sons and one daughter with Pat. In 1958, he was stationed at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee where he worked in the Departments of Special Services and was a recruiter for twelve years. He retired from the military in 1973 as a Technical Sergeant, moving on to build a successful career in sales. Frank was a great bowler and was a member of the Greater Springfield Bowling Hall of Fame. He was an avid golfer and a long-time member of the Orchards Golf Club, where he also worked briefly as a starter. Frank moved from Chicopee to South Hadley in 1998, where he lived the rest of his life, enjoying time well spent with family and appreciating regular outings with his friends - golfing, walking, and getting together for coffee or wine. He taught us all the importance of “staying in touch” and could always be counted on to remember everyone’s birthday. Frank was predeceased by his wife of sixty years, Patricia (Lenahan) Stefanelli, two children, Lisa Conner and Philip Stefanelli, and brother-in-law, James Pagan. He is survived by three sons, Frank Stefanelli (Eva) of Taiwan, Michael Stefanelli (Karen) and Paul Stefanelli of Granby, and a sister, Marie Stefanelli Pagan of Chicopee. He also leaves fourteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, a daughter-in-law Maryanne Stefanelli, son-in-law John Conner, as well as nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held at Beers and Story South Hadley on Monday, October 24th from 11:00-12:30pm, followed by family reflections. Burial, with military honors, will be held at 2:00p.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.