Frank Anthony Tominello passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 12, 2013 he was 95. He was born on March 3, 1918 to Rosa and Dominic Tominello. He lived in Greenwood all of his life. He was the youngest and the last of nine siblings. He was married to Rosemary Maggio Tominello, for 60 years. She predeceased him in 2005.
Frankie was in the restaurant business for ten years in Greenwood that served the best Italian food in town. The restaurant was next door to the old Parmount movie theatre. He and his brothers owned a billiard establishment on Howard Street. He was a communicant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
Frankie's two passions were duck hunting and fishing. He had many friends that he would go duck hunting with in the coldest of weather. He was renowned as being the best duck caller in the Delta for many years. He was a long standing member of Ducks Unlimited. He loved to fish and belonged to the Grasspatch Hunting Club. He loved catching crappie. He always said they were the best tasting fish around.
He was known for his "kindness of heart" and showed it by offering assistance and granting wishes and favors to numerous friends. Everyone called him "Uncle Frankie." He would often give ducks and fish as a big thank you to those who showed kindness to him. He loved a good joke, had a quick wit and a wonderful since of humor. He could tell a good story and often told it many times whenever a new person entered the group. He knew all the children of his friends and watched them grow up.
He was a star football player for Greenwood High School. His aspirations of going to college was interrupted by World War II. He enlisted as a private in the army and was discharged as a Staff Sergeant. His duty assignment was in Seattle, Washington. He married Rosemary Maggio on March 4, 1945 in Seattle. They lived in a little apartment behind a main house on Queen's Ann Hill. He told the story that when they rented the apartment the lady in the main house told them not to bother them. It seems over time the lady was in Rosemary and Frankie's kitchen enjoying Italian food and listening to Frankie's stories.
His wife, Rosemary, would always say "He was a good man." He had lots of friends and this phrase was repeated by many in his waning days. As in the movie "It's A Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Steward it was attested, "You are never alone if you have friends." Frankie was never alone.
The family would like to thank Dr. Henry Flautt, Jr., his staff Betty Holman and Debra Deerman for all of the special care given to him over the years. They were not only doctor and staff to him. They were very good friends as well; who enjoyed a good laugh with him.
A very special thanks of gratitude to his loyal friend Johnny Barrett. His family could not have done without him whenever Frankie was in need of help. We sincerely appreciate his friendship and ever wavering support. We would like to thank his buddies and drivers of the past few years that drove him around on all of the country roads of Leflore County from Six Mile to Matthew Brakes, to Grass Patch and miles beyond: Johnny Brown, Curtis May, Brian Lott, Billy Walker, and Jimmy Matthews. He was enriched by your friendships.
Pallbearers are Andrew Frank Tominello, Nicholas Freeman Tominello, Curtis May, Brian Lott, Jimmy Matthews, Markham Austin Frye, Ibrahim Rustom, Sam Rustom
Honorary pallbearer is Johnny Barrett
He is survived by his son, Dominic Tominello and his wife Brandy, grandsons, Andrew Frank Tominello, Neeley Grant Wright, III, and grandaughter Molly Tominello of Greenville, Mississippi, and Nicholas Freeman Tominello, Memphis, Tennessee, niece, Jo Ann Tominello, Jackson, Mississippi and his daughter Rosemarie Tominello of Jackson, Mississippi.
Visitation is at Wilson and Knight funeral home, Greenwood, Mississippi, Thursday, November 14 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Services at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Friday, November 15 at 10:00 am and graveside services at the Odd Fellows Cemetery.