John Frassinelli

Bluefield, WV- John (Jack) Frassinelli, 84, of 2221 Fairfield Avenue, Bluefield, West Virginia, died in the care of Hospice on December 20, 2009 in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he resided in assisted living. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Betty Jane Hower Frassinelli. Jack was born on November 2, 1925 in Summit Hill, Pennsylvania to immigrant parents, Phillip and Frieda Frassinelli. He was the oldest of three boys and is survived by Charles Frassinelli, married to Louise of Summit Hill, Pennsylvania, and Bruce Frassinelli, married to Marie of Schnecksville, Pennsylvania. He worked at his parent’s grocery store from an early age and learned the importance of hard work. Jack was a veteran of World War II and served in the Navy as an aviator gunner. Returning from the war, he attended Penn State University, where he met his future wife, Betty and earned his Masters in Mining Engineering. An avid Penn State fan all of his life, he enjoyed all things ‘Nittany Lions’. The Frassinelli family moved to West Virginia in the early 50s and eventually settled in Bluefield, West Virginia. Jack worked for Allied Chemical and also U.S. Steel as a mining engineer at the Welch and Gary mines. Golf was Jack’s passion, and he spent many happy times playing and watching golf with friends and family. Jack was a voracious reader, football fan, and card player. He loved the challenge of crosswords and beating anyone at card games especially his family. Above all, Jack valued education and believed that he had a responsibility to give his children the chance to attend the colleges of their choice. He succeeded. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a lifelong Catholic. Fiercely independent, Jack valued his home and life in West Virginia. He is survived by his six children, Kristie F. Cecil of Stevens Point, Wisconsin; Laurie Solon and her husband Gary of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Patrice Lange of Akron, Ohio; Nita Vollmer and her husband Mike of Blountville, Tennessee; Jane Samosky and her husband Paul of Dunbar, West Virginia; and John Frassinelli Jr. and his wife Brooke of Franklin, Tennessee. He had ten grandchildren, Laura and David Cecil, Nathan and Aaron Solon, Isaac Lange, Nicholas Vollmer, Robert Cheely, Emillia Samosky, Jake and Zoe Frassinelli. The family will receive friends to celebrate and remember Jack’s life at the Mercer Funeral Home on Friday, April 30 from 6 pm until 8 pm. A small service and Memorial Mass will be offered on Saturday, May 1 at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Paul Wharton officiating. Jack’s ashes will be laid to rest next to his wife, Betty following the service at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donation may be sent to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1003 Wyoming Street, Bluefield, West Virginia 24701. We miss you Dad, fly high! Those wishing to share memories or condolences messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. John (Jack) Frassinelli.