Frank P. Mauro

WILLIMANTIC

Frank P. Mauro, born October 14,1932 at home in South Philadelphia, PA., The son of the late Anthony and Lena (Floria) Mauro. He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley and his two sons, Anthony and his wife, Alice Ellen, Frank Jr. and his wife, Kim, his grandson, Anthony James Mauro and Ciara, great-grandchildren, Luke and Amelia, loving sister, Maryann King, Niece, Robin, Nephews, Bradley and William King and their families, and his pug, Francis.

Family moved to Danbury, CT, during depression. Attended Danbury High School, graduating in 1950 during the High School years he sang with the chorus and was a drummer with the band. He had a love for music and played the accordion and taught accordion as well. His musical talent was well known, and he played in many nightclubs throughout Western CT. and New York State.

After graduating from High School, he joined the Navy in March of 1951.

Attended boot camp in New Port, RI. After boot camp he attended Hospital Corps School.

Upon graduation as a Corpsmen he was assigned to the Hospital Ship, USS Repose.

He spent nine months in Korea taking in casualties and delivering them to the Naval Hospital in Japan.

When the ship returned home, he received a serious injury and was sent to the Naval Hospital in California for treatment.

It was in Santa Barbara, Calif., that he met his wife, Shirley Kinney. It is there that he asked for her hand in marriage.

After his recovery he was assigned to the First Marines, First Marine Division and sent to Camp Pendleton for medical field training after which he returned to Korea with the First Marines for another fourteen months. For his service in Korea, he was awarded Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, United Nations Medal, National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Korean Presidents Medal.

Upon his return from Korea, he married the love of his life. His wife of 71 years. He now struggled with going into medicine or teaching music.

Having chosen music, he attends West Connecticut College and majors in music. Piano as his major instrument and cello his minor instrument.

Upon graduation he is hired as music director for the Lebanon School District. He left after three years, but not until he started a Junior Senior High School Band, performed musicals and had an elementary school band as well.

Looking for more challenges he went to Colchester as Director of music and once again started a successful instrumental program and performed musicals as well. It was here that the class of 1968 honored him by dedicating their yearbook to him.

After six years in Colchester, he again looked for another challenge. This time as Director of Music in Ellington. And once again he met the challenge head on a brought the music program in high school back to life.

In 1965 he earned his master's degree at the University of Connecticut. And is a member of Phi Beta Mu, Alpha Lamba Chapter for Outstanding Band Directors.

After only one year in Ellington, he goes to Waterford, this time, in need of a change, he is hired to do instrumental music in elementary schools. A job that stole his heart for twenty years. After over thirty years of teaching music, he retired.

Upon retirement he again looked for a challenge and found it with Lions Clubs International. He became very active with his leadership skills.

He became president of the Willimantic Lions Club and continued as Cabinet Chairman, Zone Chairman, Region Chairman, and Governor of his district and up to Council Chairman for the state.

He also chaired the State Convention and the Mid-Winter Convention. During his time as a Lion, he chaired many other committees and was often a presenter and motivational speaker throughout New England. He is also well known for being the Author and Manager of the Lions book A Brief History of Lionism in Connecticut 2007 Edition.

His awards were many. Here are but a few: The Connecticut Board of Education Services for the Blind honored him with the Volunteer of the Year Award, 100% Governor's Medal. District Governors Excellence Medal, five International Certificates of Appreciation, Melvin Jones Fellow 8 th Progressive, the Lion Governors Difference Maker Award, The Presidents Call to Service Award given by President George W. Bush, Wally Crook Award for Unselfish Service to Humanity, Connecticut Knight of the Blind, International Presidents Leadership Medal, five Governor Appreciation Medals, four Presidents Appreciation Medals, the prestigious International Presidents Medal and many more too numerous to mention.

Here in his hometown of Willimantic, he has served on YMCA Board, Salvation Army Board and he and his wife Shirley received for Willimantic the Mohegan Sun Ray of Sunshine Award.

Teacher, Lion, public servant, Frank has indeed served God and humanity as well as he knew how.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to your local Music Program, Lion Club, T2T, Shriners Hospital or St. Jude’s.

For online condolences, please visit www.pottersfuneralhome.com

Frank P. Mauro