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Frank Antonio Obituary
Captain Frank Liberato lived and died with the bravery and passion of a fighter pilot. A 1951 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he is the only American to survive going through the screws of an aircraft carrier after the engine on his Hellcat fighter failed on takeoff. His plane crashed and the carrier ran over him and his plane. During the Cuban Missile Crisis he took the reconnaissance photos that showed the missiles' location and that were shown to President Kennedy hours later. But he said his greatest accomplishment was to marry Patricia Nelson.
The son of Frank and Anna Lee Croft Liberato, he is survived by Patty and their children, Lynne, Frank, Mark and Paul and their spouses, James Flodine and Anne, Robin and Lindy Liberato, his brother Samuel Rodman Liberato and his son-in-law Dr. Tom Nichols. He so loved his grandchildren, Callon, Vince, Gina, Austin, Benjamin, Reid, Alexandra, Aaron and Nick. Baby Peyton will be his first great grandchild.
Captain Liberato was a Navy fighter pilot from 1953 -1977, served on 9 different aircraft carriers as a pilot or ship's company member. He retired from Chance-Vought in 1990 as Manager of System Safety.
A 1945 graduate of Catholic High School, he first attended Auburn before going to USNA.. He returned to marry Pasty Nelson, the daughter of J.B. and Cecile Hooton Nelson. Ultimately, he retired to Pensacola where he was a docent at the Naval Aviation Museum, president of the Kiwanis of Big Lagoon, King of the Krewe of Avant Garde, and a Eucharist minister and lector for Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He and Patty returned to Texas in 2007 to be closer to their children.
A Requiem Mass in his memory was celebrated on October 9. Capt. Liberato had asked those wishing to do so to make donations to Catholic Charities of Houston, U.S. Naval Academy Foundation, Inc. or the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, Inc.
Heaven has one more warrior guarding its gates.
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Memories and Condolences
for Frank Antonio
Elaine Strong
October 4, 2014
It doesn't seem possible that a year has gone by since we lost our friend and the Liberato family lost husband, father,uncle,brother, grand father and great grand father....We all still miss him but know he is in a much better place telling stories to Jesus.....
Peter, Malissia, Petra Pilgrim
October 14, 2013
We are happy to have been part of your Bible Study life. We became to love you, the wisdom you shared, your wonderful personality and the many stories you shared as a pilot and your life experiences. My family love you so much and you are truly missed by us. You not only have your wings on this earth, now you have your wings in heaven. May God Bless and you will watch over your family as well as us.
October 13, 2013
Patty, blessings to you and your family. so sorry to hear of Franks passing. love to you all. sandy Trawick Parks
Lucia Moes
October 12, 2013
Dear Patty, Lynn, Roddy and family, I was so sorry to learn from Regina that Frankie had passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. Lucia Scotto Moes
Lucia Moes
October 12, 2013
Dear Patty, Lynn, Roddy and all the family,
I was so sorry to learn from Regina that Frankie had passed away. My thoughts and prayers are certainly with you and your family. I will surely be able to hear his voice and remember his smile for a long time....Much love and prayers! Lucia Scotto Moes
Jeannine ( Neenie) Pritchett
October 11, 2013
Sorry to read about Frank. Its always hard to lose a love one. God bless your family,
October 11, 2013
Dear Patty,
Our special thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time.
Marge and Jim Ryan
JoAnn and Henry Arnold
October 10, 2013
Dear Patty & Family, so sorry to learn of Frank's passing. Our prayers and love to you and your family. Henry and JoAnn Arnold
Dan Barberi
October 10, 2013
Dear Patty and family,
I was stunned to hear of Frankie's passing. We were friends since the 1930's.He was quite a sight when he came to my wedding in his whites with two black eyes after his aircraft accident.May your many pleasant memories sustain you until you meet again. God Bless.
Billie and Jim Keathley
October 9, 2013
Dear Patty & Family,
Have been thinking of you all day. We know you all celebrated a wonderful Mass for Frank today and he would have been so proud of all of you.Our sympathy and prayers go with you in the coming days.
Billie and Jim
October 9, 2013
Dear Patty & Family,
Have thought about you all day and know you celebrated a beautiful mass for Frank.Our deepest sympathy and prayers for all as you go forward .
Love,
Billie & Jim
George Humphreys Jr
October 9, 2013
My deepest sympathy to the Liberato family. Mr. Frank's father was my Godfather and I had the pleasure growing up knowing and spending time with the entire family.
October 9, 2013
Patty
Julia and I send our sincere condolences to you and the family. We'll miss Frank.
Love and fond regards, Julia & Kenny
Elaine Strong
October 9, 2013
The world has lost a great man. All of us who knew him have lost a great friend and story teller.My thoughts and prayers to the whole Liberto extended family ....
October 9, 2013
My family, the Crumps were neighbors and friends to Frank and Anna Lee on Gregory Street.
Frankie was my babysitter when he was a teenager. He has always been an outstanding person. Please accept my most sincere condolences to your family.
Martha Crump Williams
October 8, 2013
Patty,
I enjoyed talking with Frank at your Grande Lagoon home. He was a shinning star in life.
Bill Grantham
Robin Hanemann
October 8, 2013
One less fighter pilot protecting us here on earth but one more doing so in heaven. And you can count on that.
"I'm Frank!"
What a man!
Robin Hanemann
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