Franklin Merola

Frank Merola, 91, formerly of Myrtle Beach, SC, and Upper Providence, PA, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. He was the sixth child of the late Alexander and Anna (née Marsicano) Merola. Born on Election Day, November 6, 1934, in Hazleton, PA, he was named for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and was sent a special letter from the President congratulating his birth and namesake.

Frank proudly served in the U.S. Army. After his service, he worked as a mechanic in his brother's auto shop before opening his own business specializing in auto body work in Folcroft, PA. After selling the business in the early 1980s, he started a small contracting company where he did kitchen and bathroom renovations along with building custom cabinetry.

While in the Army, Frank played football for his Army base team in the 1950s. He enjoyed fishing on his boat at the Jersey shore and developed a passion for golf. He was a member of Llanerch Country Club from 1978 until 2002, when he moved to Myrtle Beach so he could enjoy golf year-round. A devoted Phillies Phan, Frank was rarely seen without his red Phillies cap and jacket. Frank enjoyed spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed sharing his love of sports with his daughters and then grandchildren. He created many wonderful memories with them teaching them how to fish in the pond next to his home in Myrtle Beach, practicing their golf shots in his backyard and playing dominos. A man of many talents, Frank was not only athletic, but very mechanically inclined and artistic. He was always interested in how things were made and had a knack to fix almost anything. Something wasn't truly broken until Frank couldn't fix it. In his younger days, Frank painted and sketched. He then used those talents to build beautiful custom cabinetry and install crown molding.

He was predeceased by his wife, June A. Merola, and his siblings Joseph (Rita), Beatrice Haynal (John), William (Peggy), James (Barbara), and Alexander (Dot), as well as his nephew James Haynal.

Frank is survived by his daughters, Barbara Aldinger (Joseph), Carolyn Merola (Will), and Nancy Franz (Andrew); his grandchildren Joey Aldinger, Sydney Aldinger, Sara Merola, Emily Franz, Elizabeth Franz, Mary Lauren Franz, and Matthew Franz; his sister-in-law Barbara O'Loughlin (Joseph); his fifteen "favorite" nieces and nephews; and his companion, Carol Moxey.

Funeral arrangements will be held in Pennsylvania at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Southminster, PO Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28247 in memory of Frank. Gifts may also be made online at ViaGiving.org/one-time-giving using the designation Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Southminster.