Frank Joseph Clesi

CLESI Frank Joseph Clesi passed away Sunday, June 16, 2013. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 9, 1928, he has been a resident of Baton Rouge since 1955. He graduated from Fortier High School in New Orleans and then Louisiana State University in 1950 with a BS in Business. He was also a graduate of the School of Mortgage Banking at Northwest University in Chicago, Illinois. He joined the United States Air Force in 1951, serving during the Korean War and was discharged as 1st Lieutenant. He retired after 41 years of service from Louisiana Companies, where he was Vice President and Treasurer. He was an active member and officer of the Baton Rouge Junior Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club, where he received member of the year. He served as State President of the Louisiana Mortgage Bankers Association and received the Distinguished Service Award in 1977 from the YMBC. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Sherwood Forest Country Club, Country Club of Louisiana and the City Club of Baton Rouge. Most importantly he was a devoted husband to his surviving spouse and love of his life Delores delaHoussaye Clesi. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on June 11, 2013. He was a loving and caring father to Francesca Lea Clesi and Andrea Clesi McMakin and spouse Charles Wallace McMakin. He adored his grandchildren and stood as an example of integrity, humor, knowledge and wit. Nicholas Clesi Nesbit, Wallace G. "Beau" Nesbit IV and spouse Melissa DeBarbieris Nesbit, Meredith Anne Cranch, Jordan Francesca Cranch, Dixon Wallace McMakin and Emily Lee McMakin will forever be grateful to their grandfather for his presence in their lives. His surviving sister, Emile Clesi Stolf and nieces and nephews Rondi Black Weber (David), Bridget Black Bradley (Brandon), Lee Anthony Stolf (Yvette), and Kelly Prejean Kemp (Lance) will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emile Joseph Clesi and Eunice Landry Clesi; a sister, Eunice Clesi Black; brother-in-law, Kenneth Andrew Prejean; and his beloved grandson, Gathian Tony Fertitta. Visitation will be held at Resthaven Gardens of Memory and Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, beginning at noon on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 with services to follow at 2:00 p.m. A private ceremony and interment will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at Lakelawn Metairie Cemetery, Metairie, Louisiana. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Tony Fertitta Scholarship in care of the LSU Lab School, LSU Foundation, 3838 W. Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. Please visit www.resthavenbatonrouge.com to sign the online guestbook. Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is in charge of arrangements.