FRANK ROSENGARTEN

ROSENGARTEN--Frank, was a truly extraordinary person. He fell in love with Italy as a young man and devoted the rest of his life to studies related to its culture and politics, receiving a PhD from Columbia University in the 1950's in Italian. He wrote many books and numerous articles on important people in the anti-fascist press there. This passion tied in with his longtime interest in socialism, and he was a co-founder and an editor of the journal Socialism and Democracy. Gramsci became a special focus of his work and he translated Gramsci's letters from prison. A professor of Italian studies at several universities, he was Professor Emeritus at Queens College. But his interests covered many subjects unrelated to Italian, and included a love of theater, movies, and music and books, which he devoured on many subjects. But more important than his many accomplishments, including receiving his second Doctorate, in his retirement, in French from The CUNY graduate Center. His dissertation on the young Proust received an award. More importantly was his gift for friendship. His love for and loyalty to friends and family were total. If you had the rare privilege of being part of his circle, you had a friend and mentor for life. He adored his children Dan and Lydia, and his late son, Philip as well as his grandchildren, Melina and Emi, and his sister Jo. He was also a devoted husband of over 30 years to his late wife, Lucille. He was irreplaceable and his absence will leave a big hole in all their hearts. A memorial service will be held at the Casa Italiana in the fall, and there will be a shiva on Thursday night at his apartment, 160 East 84th. He will leave a hole in peoples hearts and lives.