Obituary of Francis Argento, Sr.

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Francis Charles Argento, Sr. beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather on February 24, 2025 at the age of 86.

Born January 11, 1939, Frank grew up in the 19^th Ward of Rochester and graduated from the Aquinas Institute in 1956.  He attended St. John Fisher University earning his degree in 1961. A proud Rochesterian, from there he set out to begin his career in the place he loved and called home.  He started his first business that very same year and was a successful small business owner and entrepreneur for close to 60 years. Even after selling his business and retiring, Frank could still be found “working” in his study for hours keeping track of his interests in his own unique style. 

Frank loved big band music and Saturday night dinners at Hedges.  He loved to drive his convertible with the top down for hours on the open road in the company of his wife. Frank was a devoted New York Yankees fan, except for those couple years in the early 90’s when he rooted for the Blue Jays for some reason.  It can only be because he enjoyed visiting Toronto with his wife which they did often. 

He enjoyed his Martini’s and a nosh of cheese and dinner time with his family.  His son Chris would entertain nightly with his ‘slouchy walk’ and ‘funny eyes’ bits making everyone laugh hysterically. Speaking of enjoying dinner time, his grandson Tony remembers he never ate a Sunday dinner without spilling sauce on his shirt.  He also remembers this odd fact - his shirt was always white.

A loving father, his daughter Victoria recalls that he would swim with her every night, nose and ear plugs included, and make her laugh by creating big waves in the water.  Victoria and Frank Jr. remember games of Cowboys and Indians and recall him reading Teddy B & Teddy G the Bear Detectives to them often, and watching TV shows like Hogan’s Heroes and Wild Wild West together.  

Frank was funny and a bit of a wise guy, especially in high school.  While at Aquinas, he was punished by a priest for disrupting class.  The “punishment” was to spend the class time inside a closet.  It didn’t quite work out for the teacher though - Frank was always proud to say he still got an A.  As quick witted as he was, he still thought nothing was funnier than seeing a person get hit in the face with a pie.  Funny is funny.  

But of all the things he loved, nothing comes close to the love he felt and shared with his beautiful wife Elaine. They met at 16 years of age and married in 1961 - two kids who saw their other half in each other and jumped in a lifeboat together for a journey that lasted 70 years. There unbreakable devotion and commitment to each other is a testament to the vows they made to one another all those years ago – to love and to cherish, to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, from this day forward, until death do us part.

Sleep warm Papa – we love you.

Frank is survived by his wife Elaine, his daughter Victoria and her husband Larry Castellano, his son Frank Jr. and his companion Candace Albanese, his son Anthony and his wife Suzanne and his son Chris and his wife Laura.

He loved his grandchildren Gia & Tim Paddock, Crystal & Wally MacDonald, Sammi & Ben Finn, Tony Argento & Erica Kachaylo, Jack & Rebecca Argento, Maxwell & Alexis Argento, Sarah & Matt Rabbitt, Hanah & Roman Musisca, Josh Franciosa, Jonah Franciosa & Michaela Monachino.

And he was blessed with the love of 12 great grandchildren – Noella, Jovani, Piper, Alexis, Noah, Avery, Charlie, Paxton, Luke, Alena, Cecilia, and Dominic.

His Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 1st at 10:00am at St. Jerome's Church, East Rochester.

Donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital