Frank William Dell’Antonio

Frank William Dell’Antonio, 75, a seasonal resident, originally from Livonia, MI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 30, 2023 in North Fort Myers, FL. He was born July 23, 1947 in Detroit, MI to Mario Dell’Antonio and Mabel (Runco) Dell’Antonio, now deceased. 

Frank is the son of Italian immigrants from Moena (Trentino) and Calabria, Italy. His parents migrated to Ernest, PA in the early 1920s. In 1940 they settled in Dearborn, Michigan for opportunities in the booming automotive industry of Detroit. Frank graduated from Fordson High School in 1965. In the fall of 1968 he pledged to the Delta-Alpha Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Metallurgy.

Frank had a passion for cars. Watching his father work in the steel mills of Ford Motor Company at a young age, certainly had an effect. Frank’s gregarious personality allowed him to excel in sales. He was a gifted promoter. He could make anyone feel welcomed; instilling confidence in the product they were buying. He became an Automotive Account Sales Manager, selling various Powertrain components to Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. He worked at McCord Gasket, Southland Industries and McNary & Associates for over thirty years. Upon retirement, he occasionally worked as a substitute teacher in Detroit Public schools, teaching math and science.

During his free time, Frank loved to cook and play golf. His favorite pastime, however, was deer hunting in Pennsylvania with his cousins Robert and John Runco. Hunting, mind you. Not cleaning. Long nights of mischief and mayhem occurred on these vacations but, what happens in PA stays in PA.

In the early 1980s, Frank met his soon to be wife, Esther Palen. He was star-struck by her beauty, kindness and style. When they met, she wore a green floral dress with two completely different shoes; one green, one white. He said, “That’s it! She’s the one!”. They were married for fourteen years but, even after divorce, stayed close friends and confidants. Still living together the remaining ten years of his life, Frank and Esther enjoyed traveling to Florida, eating good Italian food and watching Film Noir on lazy Saturday evenings.

Frank and Esther had one daughter: Marlo Dell’Antonio. Expecting a boy and receiving a blonde-haired blue-eyed baby girl, God knew she was exactly what he needed. Becoming a father was one of Frank’s greatest accomplishments. He raised her in the Catholic faith, in accordance to his own. Seeing her dedication to this faith throughout her life made him very proud. Marlo was the perfect likeness of her mother. As a child, they enjoyed midnight swims, trips to the car wash, movies at the Ford-Wyoming Drive-In and the Rocket Slide at Camp Dearborn. Marlo is indebted to her father for a great head of hair, his special secret to cooking the perfect steak and how to keep a car clean (hint: Armoral). He taught her to wear a life vest in deep waters and she inspired him whenever he lost faith. Most importantly, they taught each other unconditional love. Even though he had a hard time expressing it, he loved her with his whole heart. She is honored to call him her father.

In conclusion, always the life of the party, Frank wanted to entertain everyone and make people happy. Even with a somewhat crusty exterior and dry sense of humor, he made friends easily. As the girls exclaimed, “he had swag, honey.” Truly, he could have been a fashion model but, instead, he dated models. Or, so I’m told. Of course, with such a lively reputation he became skilled in the art of getting in (and out) of trouble. Like all of us, Frank had his share of poor choices but ultimately, the traces of love he left behind yielded good fruit. Indeed, Frank was a wild man… who loved life and lived it on his terms. His closest friends would agree, the world is a little brighter place for having him in it.

Frank is survived by his best friend and companion Esther Palen of Lansing; beloved daughter Marlo Dell’Antonio of Detroit, MI; as well as his sister, Mary (Chuck) Falsetti of Novi, MI. In addition, he will be dearly missed by close friends Louis Rigato and Virgil Philips.

A special Memorial Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 219 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 10am. Two days before his birthday.

In lieu of flowers – Personal Stories and Letters of Condolences may be mailed to: P.O. Box 4195 East Lansing, MI 48826 C/O Marlo Dell’Antonio. In addition, friends are invited to write notes, upload images and share memories on the online guest book at www.MullinsMemorial.com.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fort Myers, is entrusted with final care.