Francis Michael Tempesta

In Loving Memory of Francis Michael Tempesta

Francis Michael Tempesta, a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and American patriot, passed away peacefully after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 62 years old. Known to his loved ones as Frank, he was a man of quiet strength, sharp intellect, unwavering loyalty, and a great sense of humor that brought laughter and light to those around him.

Frank was the devoted husband of Gina Tempesta and the proud, deeply loving father of Michael Angelo Tempesta. He was the cherished son of Carmela Tempesta and the late Michael Francis Tempesta, and a treasured brother to Michael, Lisa, and Teresa. He also leaves behind Gina’s loving family, including the Tran family, and many extended family members on both sides who will deeply miss his presence.

Born with a natural curiosity and drive, Frank was both an outstanding student and athlete. He starred on his high school’s all-star football and baseball teams and also played ice hockey and ran with passion. At just 17, Frank was diagnosed with cancer — a life-altering moment that he met with grit and courage. He beat the disease and remained cancer-free for 44 years, setting the tone for a life marked by resilience and discipline.

His father once told him that if he didn’t study hard, he’d end up in a small apartment in Brooklyn with a black-and-white television. To really drive the point home, his dad even took him through some of Brooklyn’s toughest neighborhoods. Frank took the message seriously — excelling in school and going on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1989. Later in life, when Brooklyn became trendy and expensive, Frank loved to tease his father, joking, “You couldn’t afford to live in Brooklyn now.”

Frank’s passion for service and technical excellence led him to a remarkable 36-year career at the Central Intelligence Agency, where he served his country with honor, integrity, and deep commitment. Over the decades, he became known for his technical brilliance, innovative thinking, and dedication to the safety of his fellow Americans.

At the CIA, Frank made lasting contributions in multiple mission-critical roles. As a Technical Researcher, he focused on autonomous robotics and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, serving as a technical representative on several national projects. Previously, as an Engineering Analyst, he performed reverse engineering and technical assessments of foreign electronics and improvised explosive devices — work that directly supported the intelligence community and helped save lives.

Earlier in his career, Frank served as an RF Engineer, designing transceivers and antennas, and later as a Senior Test Engineer, where he mentored junior staff and authored automated testing protocols. Throughout every role, from Test & Inspection Officer to Electrical Engineer, he was respected not just for his expertise but for his mentorship, his humility, and his relentless pursuit of excellence.

Away from work, Frank was a man of depth and heart. He had a deep love for military history, a sharp sense of humor that often caught you off guard, and a gift for making people feel at ease. He loved laughing with those close to him. He brought warmth and insight to every conversation, and he formed many friendships that lasted decades.

Frank was the kind of person you could count on — loyal, insightful, and quietly heroic in his own way. His courage in the face of life’s toughest battles was matched only by the love he showed to his family and the dedication he gave to his country.

He will be remembered as a man of extraordinary strength, relentless integrity, and deep humanity. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the colleagues he inspired, and the freedoms he helped protect.

He will be missed more than words can express — and never forgotten.