Frank Pedi

Frank Pedi left us peacefully on June 7, 2025 at the age of 82. He was born in Grammichele, Sicily on January 20, 1943. He was the eldest child of Giuseppe and Rosaria Pedi and brother to Ralph. His childhood was filled with memories of playing soccer, visiting his family’s farms, and having a “pet owl”. In 1959, he immigrated to the United States of America and settled in Brooklyn, NY. He was steadfast in learning the English language and attended New Utrecht High School where he went on to earn his high school diploma. While adjusting to a new culture and language, he worked as an assistant in local clothing manufacturing factories. In the spring of 1964, he took a trip back to Sicily with his family and met his soon to be wife, Joanna. They were married on May 30, 1964 and ventured to the United States to begin their new life together shortly after. They worked hard to achieve the American Dream and moved to Staten Island in 1976. They had 4 children- Joseph, Frank (Michele), Rosanna (Mark), and Milena (Paul). They opened a family business named Cicci Fashions, a clothing manufacturing company built with hard work and dedication, which later manufactured popular brands such as Skidz and Gorilla Wear. Frank enjoyed traveling, especially his trips to Hawaii with his wife. He was proud to be a citizen of ‘the greatest country in the whole world’ and would not shy away from sharing his sense of pride for the United States of America. He was always up for a spontaneous road trip or going for a “ride”. He was often a man of few words, but quick with a well timed witty comment. He was a dedicated Nonno to Brianna, Justin (Vanessa), Taylor, Dylan, Sofia Rose, Francesca, and Alexander. He had a sweet tooth and always made sure his home was filled with cookies, candy, and various pastries. His children and grandchildren recall times where he would make their friends feel like his own and greeted them with either a nickname or sly comment. The family will receive visitors on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 8:30am-10:30am at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals with a mass following at St. Joseph Church (16 Poplar Avenue Staten Island, NY) at 11am. Frank’s family has compiled some words that they would like to share: “Daddy, while I feared this day was coming, my heart wasn’t ready. You dedicated your life to ensuring that your family’s wants and needs were fulfilled. We were told ‘I didn’t ask how much it is, I asked if you wanted it’, and you always came through with whatever outlandish thing I wanted or asked for (for example, an autographed limited edition Dan Marino helmet that I definitely did not need, but I wanted). When all else failed, I knew my daddy would be there to tell me ‘we will figure it out’. This is what I strive to emulate as a parent. I will carry on your legacy of spoiling the heck out of my kid and letting her know that nothing is too big to not ‘figure out’. I love you and hope you come say ‘hi’ every now and then.” -Milena “Daddy, where do I even begin? I know you are now at peace and not suffering anymore, but you will forever be missed. Thank you for all the memories growing up, going to Brooklyn on a Sunday morning, just us. Life will never be the same, I will forever miss ‘My Daddy’” - Rosanna “Dad, from the first day I met you, you welcomed me into your home and your family. You treated me like a son and I am truly grateful for the time we got to spend together. I will miss our talks about Jerry and the game shows or Italian movies that I never understood. I am glad I did not ‘run’ when I came for my first Sunday dinner. Until we meet again, you will be missed.” -Paul “Dad , not enough time, but I’m glad what we had we made the best of. And I will keep my promise to you , to protect your daughter Rosanna and your grandchildren for the rest of my life.” -Mark “Nonno, what can I say? Never in 28 years, could I have imagined the day that I would ever have to say goodbye to you. You were always the strongest man that bounced back from literally everything that came your way. I’ll never forget your homemade cherry coke with the “5” maraschino cherries, your recipe on how to make cannoli cream with endless chocolate chips, or the endless amounts of random drives we would take listening to “The Sicilians” with all the windows down. You’ve been nothing but the best Nonno I could have ever asked for. I’ll miss you today and forever. I made you a promise and I’ll always stick to it, I pinky promise. Till we meet again. I love you!” - Brianna “Nonno, I don’t even know where to start to describe what kind of man you were and how much you meant to me and everyone around you. You are and always will be my best friend. My friends and I will never forget how much you’ve done for us as kids wether it’s being our ride, no matter where we went or what time it was, telling us to roll down the windows to ‘roast em’ in your exact words ‘Roast ‘em, Justin’. The person who taught me to drive at 15 and threw me the keys with a full tank and let me go pick up my friends and bring the car back later on. I always knew this day was going to hurt, but I never thought it would feel like this. Thank you for the legacy that you left behind and as the oldest grandson, I promise you I’ll stick to my word and carry it on. I will watch over home and Nonna always, she will never be by herself, Nonno. I make you that promise. Till we meet again, my best friend. I love you. P.S. I hope you’re having pasta and meatballs with Shashe.” -Justin “Thank you, Nonno for all that you’ve done for me. I’ll always cherish the memories we’ve had. I’ll always hold our late night snacks, fashion shows, and dollar store trips in my heart. I love you always, love Pupa (Taylor)” -Taylor “Nonno, thank you for all of the fun memories I’ll always have of you, and our pasta races that I know you always made me win. I’ll never forget you. I love you. Love, Dylan” -Dylan “Nonno, thank you for sharing your memories with me whenever I would ask. I remember you sitting down in the kitchen, soda in hand, and you would tell me stories about growing up in Italy. You would always have the biggest smile on your face while telling me the funny ones. You loved telling the story of the time you and your friends snuck into a theater, set off fireworks, and set the back of the theater on fire. I will always remember you and love you forever” -Sofia Rose

Frank Pedi

January 20, 1943 - June 7, 2025