PHILLIP JOSEPH FRAZETTA

FRAZETTA
PHILLIP JOSEPH
Age 86, of Beechview, passed away on Friday, October 3, 2014. Beloved husband of Terri (Grove) Frazetta; loving father of Dina F. Miller-Ponas (Glenn Ponas) and Lt. Col Phillip H. Frazetta (USAF Retired) (Diane Bailey Frazetta); proud grandfather of Alex Miller, Cayla Grace Frazetta, Phillip Frazetta, and Jake Ryan Frazetta; brother of Angelo Frazetta (Anna Marie); brother-in-law of Louise Frazetta; and preceded in death by sisters, Frannie Wolpert and Josephine Hogan; and brothers, Jack and Samuel; also survived by many loving relatives and friends. Born and raised on Ridge Avenue in the North Side during the Great Depression, Phill began working at an early age, setting the tone for his entire life. His early jobs included used metal reselling, a newspaper stand, and the National Casket Company. He served honorably in the U.S. Army in the Korean War, during which he was wounded twice in battle and was awarded the Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster. Following the war, Phill followed his entrepreneurial dreams. In the 1960s he owned several pool halls along Fifth Avenue in Uptown. He purchased a small lemon ice machine which he grew into Phil's Lemon Ice Company with 17 trucks that served the entire Western PA area. In the mid 70s, he became the head concessionaire at the Pittsburgh Arts Festival, a position he held for over 15 years. He expanded his concessions business to include the Pittsburgh Regatta, Pittsburgh Marathon, Great Race, Vintage Grand Prix, North Park, South Park, Boyce Park, and numerous fairs and festivals throughout Western Pennsylvania. He was the proprietor of American Ski Rental, which serviced the Boyce Park Ski Lodge for years. Phill's work was a family affair, and chances are that if you had a hot sausage sandwich, waffle ice cream sandwich, or ice ball at an event in Pittsburgh, Phill or his family served you. Remembering his family's struggles during the depression, Phill took a special but quiet pride in giving back to the community he loved so dearly. He was an avid supporter of the Pittsburgh Childrens Festival and Special Olympics, gladly donating his company's time and resources. Phill had a special fondness for Sanibel Island, where he welcomed and entertained family and friends with abounding hospitality. He was a member of the Sanibel Island Lions Club, and was an avid if not particularly successful fisherman. Phill's Sicilian heritage was well known to his family and friends. He was a member of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America. Phill will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, silky smooth style, and the loving way in which he cared for his family. Friends received on Monday and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 806 Perry Hwy., Ross Twp. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Teresa of Avila Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
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