Phillip J. Frazetta

Phillip Joseph Frazetta, 86, of Beechview, passed away Friday, Oct. 3, 2014. He was the beloved husband of Terri (Grove) Frazetta; loving father of Dina F. Miller-Ponas (Glenn Ponas) and Lt. Col Phillip H. Frazetta (Air Force, retired) (Diane Bailey Frazetta); proud grandfather of Alex Miller, Cayla Grace Frazetta, Phillip Frazetta and Jake Ryan Frazetta; brother of Angelo Frazetta (Anna Marie); brother-in-law of Louise Frazetta; and preceded in death by sisters, Frannie Wolpert and Josephine Hogan, and brothers, Jack and Samuel; and also survived by many loving relatives and friends. Born and raised on Ridge Avenue in the North Side during the Great Depression, Phill began working at an early age, setting the tone for his entire life. His early jobs included used metal reselling, a newspaper stand and the National Casket Co. He served honorably in the Army in the Korean War, during which he was wounded twice in battle and was awarded the Purple Heart, with one oak leaf cluster. Following the war, Phill followed his entrepreneurial dreams. In the 1960s, he owned several pool halls along Fifth Avenue in Uptown. He purchased a small lemon ice machine which he grew into Phil's Lemon Ice Co., with 17 trucks that served the entire Western Pennsylvania area. In the mid 70s, he became the head concessionaire at the Pittsburgh Arts Festival, a position he held for more than 15 years. He expanded his concessions business to include the Pittsburgh Regatta, Pittsburgh Marathon, Great Race, Vintage Grand Prix, North Park, South Park, Boyce Park and numerous fairs and festivals throughout Western Pennsylvania. He was the proprietor of Amercan Ski Rental, which serviced the Boyce Park Ski Lodge for years. Phill's work was a family affair and, chances are that, if you had a hot sausage sandwich, waffle ice-cream-sandwich or ice-ball at an event in Pittsburgh, Phill or his family served you. Remembering his family's struggles during the Depression, Phill took a special but quiet pride in giving back to the community he loved so dearly. He was an avid supporter of the Pittsburgh Children's Festival and Special Olympics, gladly donating his company's time and resources. Phill had a special fondness for Sanibel Island, where he welcomed and entertained family and friends with abounding hospitality. He was a member of the Sanibel Island Lions Club, and was an avid if not particularly successful fisherman. Phill's Sicilian heritage was well-known to his family and friends. He was a member of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America. Phill will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, silky-smooth style and the loving way in which he cared for his family. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME INC., 806 Perry Highway, Ross Township. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in St. Teresa of Avila Church. Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.