Frances Smircich

Frances Cusano Smircich

July 4, 1928 - December 7, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother Frances Cusano Smircich of Titusville FL on December 7, 2025.

Born in Rockville Centre NY, her birthday on the fourth of July (1928) always guaranteed a celebration. She grew up during the depression years, the youngest child of Joe and Tessie Cusano. Throughout her life she remained close to her older siblings: Lucy, Viola, Louise and Guy. She recalled many hours of singing with her sisters while doing chores and, later on, shopping at her brother's butcher shop. As adults, with all their families living on Long Island, the siblings shared many holiday dinners, usually with homemade ravioli, as well as spirited bocce ball games. In the summers, beach parties with bon fires were exciting for us kids.

Frances graduated in 1946 from Oceanside High School where she played violin and multiple sports, but it was bowling that was to become a lifelong passion. For a time, she worked at the Oceanside Laundry and it was there where she met Peter Smircich, recently returned from military service. She married Peter in 1947 and together they raised 4 children, Linda, Ann, Peter and Paul, and built a successful general contracting business, where Pete did the building and Fran did the books.

A story she was fond of recounting was about how one day, early in their marriage, she defied Dad by driving their car across Long Island to visit a relative, returning safely and without getting lost, proving to him she was capable of driving independently.

Pete and Fran left Long Island in 1970, following other family members (both sets of parents and Pete's twin brother Tom) in relocating to Florida, first to South Florida and then, in 1982, to Titusville, where Pete's father and twin brother were already living.

Here, in addition to business pursuits, Fran and Pete were active in square dancing, and bowling leagues. Thay also traveled widely internationally, and around the country driving their RV on long trips which Fran beautifully documented in multiple photo albums.

Pete died in 1999, and afterwards Mom was determined to build a life for herself. She continued to manage the rental property business with the assistance of son Peter. She became a member of the DOES service organization (Drove 183) and formed a circle of friends with whom she shared many adventures and lots of laughs. She spent time exercising at Parrish Fitness Center and regularly played golf and dominoes; and she was skillful at knitting, crocheting, and needlework, delighting family and friends who were gifted the amazing results of her crafts.

Fran was competitive bowler throughout her life, with many trophies and awards to mark her achievements and those of her teams on the lanes. She very much appreciated the many years of camaraderie with her team-mates at River Lanes in Titusville, where she ended her bowling career at age 95!

Meanwhile, whether it was at pinochle, scrabble, dominoes, golf or bowling, she loved to play and she liked winning, including from time to time at the slot machines. She enjoyed the challenge of crossword puzzles, including the really difficult crypto-quips, and she did so almost to the end of her life.

And, of course, she was a big fan of the New York Yankees all her life -how could it be otherwise?- nonetheless after moving to Florida in the heyday of the Miami Dolphins, she became their devoted fan even in their worst days.

While she had a hard time saying the word, Mom showed her love through her countless actions on behalf of her family. Just as one example, she produced her legendary homemade manicotti as the centerpiece of our holiday dinners even in her very late years.

Frances was predeceased by husband Peter (1999) and sons Paul (2018) and Peter (2025).

She is mourned by daughter Linda and her partner Marta Calás, daughter Ann Welsby and husband Keith, daughters-in-law Juanita Smircich and Sally Smircich, as well as grandchildren Joy and Holly Carpenter, Ethan and Mercy Smircich; Walter Birriel, and his wife Maricarmen. She is survived by and will be missed by her golfing partner Vi Paquin, an extended family of great and great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.