Frank J. DeRosa Sr.

Pittsburg lost a true ORIGINAL on January 15, 2020. DeRosa always lived life on his own terms. Quitting school before the age of 14, working until joining the Navy at age 17 and serving proudly in WW2. Not only did he help pioneer kustomizing cars, he blazed a trail over seven decades that earned him 7 Automotive and Arts Hall of Fame inductions, many features in magazines and television shows, countless fans, friends, happy customers and a cult following of kustom car aficionados. Born June 5, 1927 to Frances Ascanio DeRosa and Frank J. DeRosa Sr., in his grandmother’s home in downtown Pittsburg. He couldn’t be more proud to be first generation Italian-Sicilian American that came from a pioneer family of Italian immigrants and he lived his entire life in the city that he loved. Always helping to preserve its rich and diverse history at the Pittsburg Historical Museum. He was a self-made business man, opening the oldest body shop in town at the age of 22 in 1949 and he continued to work hard until he was 88. His innovative and artistic eye has hand-shaped some of the most famous cars in the kustom car circuit and has earned him reverence in this unique field. He is survived by his son Frank DeRosa Jr., his daughter Regina DeRosa Fredenburg (Clint), grandchildren – Gianna Fredenburg, Clinton DeRosa Fredenburg, Franchesca Fredenburg and Clinton D. Bilbrey and a great grandson Cruz DeRosa Fredenburg. He joined his beloved wife of 43 years Sue Kiefer DeRosa (12/2/06). Frank embodied his principles of living life authentically and putting family above all else. I know that you’ll be painting rainbows in the sky Dad. “MILES OF SMILES”