Frank A. Kessler

Frank A. Kessler, developer, builder, athlete, entrepreneur, restaurateur, and most importantly, a husband, father, and proud grandfather (Grand Bear), of Keswick, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family after a gallant battle with prostate cancer. Mr. Kessler, age 66, was born June 8, 1937 in Trenton, New Jersey, the son of the late Frank J. and Alberta VanCleve Kessler. Frank leaves his devoted wife, Peggy; two daughters, Kandi Comer and her husband, Mike, Motana Gaffney and her husband, Jeff; a son, John Kessler and his wife, Debra; eight grandchildren, Maria and Julie Kessler, Elizabeth, Jay, Drew, and Caroline Gaffney, and Michael and Meghan Comer. Also surviving is a sister, Kathleen O. Kessler. Upon graduation from Princeton High School in 1956, Frank was drafted to play baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but instead accepted a football scholarship to the University of Virginia. He was recruited as a tackle and was a three-year letterman at the University. After achieving success in both academics and football, he graduated from UVA in 1961 with a bachelor of arts degree in economics. During his third year at UVA, Frank purchased the Cavalier Restaurant and operated for over six years. He later purchased the Virginian on the corner and developed a true family business which he operated along with his father. He later owned and operated Lupos, the first delivery and drive-thru restaurant in Central Virginia, followed by Spectrum East, a dinner club on Pantops Mountain. In the late 80s, Frank and a former employee of The Virginian opened Rococo’s in the Village Green Shopping Center. In 1972, Frank and his partner established the first Real Estate III office on Pantops Mountain in Charlottesville. Through innovative marketing and creative ideas, the new company immediately had a major impact on the local real estate market. In 1982, Frank became the sole owner of Real Estate III and launched an aggressive pattern of growth for the organization which continues today. In the 1980s new offices were opened in Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Staunton, Little Washington, as well as three additional offices in the Charlottesville area, Forest Lakes, Glenmore, and Faulconer Drive. In 1998, a new office was opened on Greenbrier Drive and most recently an office opened at Zion’s Crossroads in Louisa County. Real Estate III, under Frank’s leadership has evolved into the largest and most productive real estate firm in Central Virginia and in the southern Shenandoah Valley. After achieving success with his real estate firm, Frank founded the Kessler Group in 1986. The Kessler Group has been instrumental in developing many of the business and housing entities throughout the Charlottesville area. Forest Lakes, Glenmore and the Village Green Shopping Center are the most recent and the most noted. Frank Kessler has been deeply involved in his community, serving on many boards and commissions throughout the region. He was one of the founders of the Charlottesville Little League Football program, served as a member of the Private Sector Council that created the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development and later served as a board member of that partnership. He was also one of the founding fathers of the Albemarle County Architectural Review Board created in the early 1990s. In the ARB as well as in other areas, he provided balance, exhibited fairness and was gracious and kind. It has often been said that even though he was a large developer, nothing he did was self-serving. In fact, his philosophy in all deliberations was to think of Albemarle County first. Frank was a member of the Church of Our Saviour on Rio Road. Prior to his development of Glenmore Country Club, he was a member of Farmington Country Club. An avid UVA sports fan, Frank was a long term member of the UVA Student Aid Foundation and served on the Student Aid Foundation Board from 1988 until 1993. He was a supporter of UVA Athletics, contributing to all facets of the school’s athletic programs. The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and the staff at the University of Virginia Hospital, the home caregivers, and his faithful aide Alex Williams, for the capable and loving care extended to Mr. Kessler during his illness. A memorial service will be held at the Church of our Savior on Monday, September 22, at 12 noon, with the Rev. Charles D. LaFond II officiating. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made for cancer research to the Department of Urology at the University of Virginia, P.O. Box 800422, Charlottesville, Va. 22908, or to the Church of Our Savior, 1165 E. Rio Rd., Charlottesville, Va. 22901. Hill & Wood Funeral Home, Charlottesville, in charge of arrangements.