Frank J. Cicero Sr.

1926 - 2018

Frank J. Cicero, Sr.

Shreveport, LA - A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Frank J. "Champ" Cicero, Sr., 92, of Shreveport, will be held at 10:00 AM Friday August 31, at The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans. Concelebrants will be Fr. Peter Mangum, Fr. Karl Daigle and Fr. Timothy Hurd. Interment will be held at 3:00 PM Friday, August 31, at Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Pineville, LA. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM followed by a vigil service at 7 PM on Thursday August 30, at Osborn Funeral Home.

Frank was born June 30, 1926, in Alexandria, LA to Joseph and Mary Mule' Cicero, immigrants from Sicily. After graduating from Bolton High School in May 1944, he was drafted by the United States Army and served on active duty in Europe in World War II.

In 1946, Frank enrolled at Louisiana College in Pineville on a football scholarship, where he earned seven letters, four in football and three in baseball, while serving as the captain of the football team his junior and senior years. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a minor in science in 1950. He also obtained a Master's Degree in Education from Northwestern State University in 1974.

Frank was hired to teach as well as coach football and baseball at St. John's High School in Shreveport in 1950, which was renamed Jesuit in 1960 and Loyola College Prep in 1982. During his 27-year baseball coaching career, he compiled a 270-172-4 record, including six district championships, state runner-up in 1957, and two State Championships in 1964 and 1974.

Frank retired in 1995 as one of Shreveport's more popular and respected educators. Then Mayor Bo Williams proclaimed May 25, 1995 as Frank Cicero Day. In November of that year, the City Council unanimously approved renaming the street adjacent to Loyola to Cicero Drive. That October, he was recognized for his service to the school with an induction into the St. Johns, Jesuit, Loyola Hall of Honor. In 2002, he was inducted into the Louisiana American Italian Sports Hall of Fame in New Orleans. In 2004, when Loyola expanded its athletics complex to include a baseball facility, it was named Frank Cicero Field.

Married to Joan E. Cardaronello of Independence, LA since June 15, 1957, they are proud parents of two sons, Frank, Jr. of Alexandria, and John (Jay) of Mandeville, LA. They have four grandchildren, Jasper, Adam, Emilia and Jacob.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary Mule Cicero; brothers, Vincent and Jasper; sister, Angie Dileo; and nephew, Peter Dileo. He is survived by his wife 61 years, Joan; sons, Frank Jr. and John; grandchildren, Jasper, Adam, Jacob and Emilia; nephew, Joe Paul Cicero; nieces, Carolyn Nelson and Ginger Ridder. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Victoria Candiotto; nephews, Vic and Tom Candiotto; and niece, Charity Candiotto.

Pallbearers will be Jasper Cicero, Adam Cicero, Jacob Cicero, Joe Paul Cicero, Ted Ridder, Art Adams, Tony Papa and Larry Nelson. Honorary Pallbearers include all the players and students that he taught and coached.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his name be made to Loyola College Prep Athletic Department.