Carol A Frate

Carol A. Frate
June 10, 1940-March 22, 2026
85 Years Young
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and Nana, Carol Frate who passed peacefully in her sleep at the home of her
daughter in Cape Coral, Florida. She was a woman of extraordinary kindness, unwavering
strength, and boundless love and generosity. Her legacy is woven into the lives of
everyone she touched, and her memory will forever be cherished by her family, friends,
and all who knew her.
Carol's life was rich with meaningful moments—she spent many years nurturing her
grandchildren, who she cherished dearly. She found joy in the simple pleasures of life; she
had a special love of animals-especially her many dogs throughout the years. In her
younger days, she loved to ride horses and had a special Mustang car she car raced around
town in. She was patriotic and PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! She showed off this special
flair by often wearing the colors of our flag in her "USA" wardrobe ensemble. She listened
to old time Country /Western music and western films. She was also a great fan of Elvis
and Chuck Norris. Perhaps she and Chuck are having a Tai-Chi session in heaven!
Her love was unconditional, and her presence brought comfort and peace to those around
her.
Professionally, she was always a hardworking, responsible independent woman,
admirable beyond belief for the time of that era.
She secured her independence by securing many different positions ranging from a school
bus driver and a cleaner to secure a position as a female bus driver which was not heard of
in those times. She instilled this work ethic to her girls as well. This job allowed Carol to
provide for her children as a single bad a** mother.
At one time Carol was joined in marriage to the late Samuel "Nitro" Spatuzzi, with whom
she shared two daughters. Carol Anne (Spatuzzi) Rys, with whom she resided in Deerfield,
NY and Michelle (Spatuzzi) Ham. Carol was especially proud of the accomplishments that
her daughters and their children have achieved both professionally and their fortitude to
withstand many storms.
Her grandchildren were the apple of her hazel eyes. She leaves behind Tiffany Lauren
Savage and her son Anthony Savage, her great-grandson. Nana will be deeply missed by
Marco Spatuzzi, her grandson. Although distant, she deeply loved her grandchildren Talia,

Stephen and Jessica and remembered each of her grandchildren in her prayers nightly to
heal the family bond. She loved each one of them in her own special way. Her
"Grandoggies" will also miss her companionship and love and frequent treat sneaking!
She also leaves behind a host of many special nieces, cousins, and friends in North Ft.
Myers, Cape Coral and the Utica/Deerfield areas and throughout the country that will all
miss her special spark.
A private sunset Celebration of Life will be held Saturday in remembrance of Carol, please
consider a monetary donation to her favorite charities, that she supported throughout her
years, the ASPCA and the Wounded Warrior Project or FEED OUR VETS.
Carol will be reunited in heaven with her grandson Michael (4/15/1993 -3/24/2018) who
left us all too soon. Her brothers Richard Mayhew, Marshall "Butch" Matthews, who she
was so proud that they served our Country, her sister Ethel MacDonald, as well as her own
parents.
You will be missed beyond words, but your memory will live on in our hearts forever.