Frank J. Cusumano Sr.

Cusumano, Sr., Frank J. Died Wed., May 15, 2007 at age 86. Baptized into the hope of Christ's resurrection. Best known as owner/ GM of Kemoll's Restaurant. Frank was one of nine children born to Sicilian immigrant parents. When his mother died, he went to St. Edmond's boarding school in Nauvoo, Ill., He had a classical education, and loved the Benedictine nuns who cared for him and who taught him school and the gentlemanly etiquette for which was known. He credited the nuns, his oldest sister, Phyllis, and his father for the foundation and guidance that enabled him to become a good student, and an honorable member of society. Frank graduated from McBride High School in 1938 where he was an honor student, member of the debate team, and winner of a composition writing contest about how the insurance industry contributed to the stability of American society. Immediately after graduating from SLU School of Commerce 1942, he was drafted into the US Army. He was sent to language school in NYC, then assigned to a POW camp in Watertown, NY where Italian POWs had been sent. He served four years and was discharged a Second Lieutenant Quartermaster. He returned to St. Louis, where he met Mary Grace Kemoll. They were married in 1949 and had six children. He worked with his father, Joe, in real estate and the wholesale fruit and produce business until 1952. When his father retired, Frank joined his parents-in-law, Dora and Joe Kemoll, managing Kemoll's Restaurant. Frank and his mother-in-law worked together 35 years until her death. Frank retired in 1992. Among his achievements, awards, board affiliations, and memberships were: Friends of St. Joseph's Shrine, The Legion of 1000 Men West, The White House Retreat League, Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Council member and past president, First Vice-President of the Board of Governors of the Missouri Athletic Club, Board of Directors St. Louis Variety Club, Board of the St. Louis Chapter of Missouri Restaurant Association, Board of Allegiant Bank; 1977 Missouri Restaurateur of the Year, 1997 Associates of the Archbishop, 1982 St. Louis Argus Distinguished Citizen Award, 1984 City of Hope Man of the Year (shared with Mrs. Kemoll), Ambassador and member St. Louis University Century Club, and life-long ticket holder and supporter of SLU Billiken Basketball. Frank is survived by his wife Mary Grace, four sons, Joseph Cusumano, Mark Cusumano, Doug Cusumano and Frank Cusumano, Jr., two daughters, Ellen Cusumano, and Laura Cusumano Silva, his sister Phyllis Cusumano, eight grandchildren, Adam Kustra, Michael Cusumano, Frank Kemoll Trampe, Alex Cusumano, Brooke Cusumano, Dominic Cusumano, Daniel Silva and Grace Silva, many dear nieces and nephews.Services: Visitation will be held Friday, May 18 at 2:00 p.m. followed by a Memorial Mass at 3:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Pillar Church at 401 South Lindbergh in Frontenac. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Sisters of St. Benedict, 2100 88th Avenue West, Rock Island, Illinois 61201. Arrangements by the ORTMANN-STIPANOVICH Funeral Home.