Obituary
Mr.
Frank J. DeVito, 92, passed away after a long illness on Wednesday, March
15, 2006 in the St. Lukes Home.
Frank was born in Utica on January 10, 1914, a son of the late Raffaele and
Olympia (Cicchelli) DeVito. He was educated in local schools and was a 1932
graduate of Utica Free Academy. He later attended Hamilton College receiving
a B.S. in Modern Language. Following college, Frank proudly served in the US
Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater, during WWII. Continuing his education
after the war, he attended Middlebury College in Vermont, studied in Paris,
France at the Sorborbonne University where he received a diploma, and
continued at the Institute De Phonetique and the Institute D’Art Et
D’Archeologie-Paris. Frank then returned home and studied at Columbia
University where he received his Masters Degree in Language.
Frank began working as a young man in the Civilian Conservation Corps and
the NY Central Railroad. He was a substitute teacher at Proctor High School
and for over twenty-four years taught language at UFA, where he retired as
the Language Department head in 1976. In 1927, Frank had begun a lifelong
love of the Boys Scouts of America, with the Herkimer Council and Land of
the Oneidas.
He began as a bugler at Camp Russell and over the years was involved in the
arts of woodcarving, pioneering and woodcraft. He carved every wood pole at
Camp Russell including the sixty five foot pole. Frank carved many of the
state, county and city seals seen throughout the country, including our NY
State Seal which hangs in the executive mansion in Albany. His numerous
contributions for the Boy Scouts of America in his lifetime are legendary
and he received almost every scouting award. His other hobbies included
painting, music, photography and sculpting.
In 1983, after sixty-nine years of Bachelorhood, Frank married Frances
Moretti. Fran and Frank enjoyed many happy years, decorating the old
homestead on Jay St. and entertaining their many friends.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Fran; his sister, Lucy Alberico; his
sisters-in-law Fannie Bossone and Rosemary DeVito; also surviving are many
nieces; nephews; especially acknowledging Fran’s godchild, Ellie Bossone;
and a special friend, Alan Woodruff, who always remained close to Frank. He
was predeceased by three brothers, William, Roland and Thomas DeVito; and
two sisters, Mary Petronio and Margaret DeVito.
Tribute to Frank J. DeVito
By Alan “Spike” Woodruff
Camp Russell Attendee Since 1949
Staff Member Since 1958
Written March 17, 2006
Frank DeVito had a mischievous twinkle in his eye. I first became aware of him around 1950 when I started going to Camp Russell as a youth. His enthusiasm, willingness to help others and extensive knowledge of the outdoors were apparent even to one so young.
Today, at that same camp, I still employ some of the sign carving and nature study techniques he taught me years ago. The memories of Frank leading Dunderbeck, Clementine and Alouette linger as those of us still at Camp Russell struggle to duplicate his style.
Frank would drop everything to help a friend, Scout or just another human being, even if it meant traveling hundreds of miles.
While listening to The Orange and the Green on the Boonville radio station this St. Patrick’s morning, I recalled fondly when Frank used to play it on the harmonica for Tim O’Connor to dance a jig.
Frank was never intimidated by those in authority. I can remember when Ben Love, a former BSA Chief Scout Executive, visited Camp Russell and Frank telling a dining hall packed with campers that the Texas native “talked funny.” That was before he led a group of Scouts blowing on organ pipes he had secured at an auction in performing Deep in the Heart of Texas.
When Mario Cuomo made a gubernatorial visit to Utica, Frank got the Governor’s attention by announcing that he was not there to ask for money. Then he presented Mario with a meticulously carved seal of New York State.
Scouting didn’t end for Frank with the close of the Camp Russell season. For many years, he was a devoted Scoutmaster to an inner-city Utica troop in addition to participating in many Council activities.
I can recall former Utica OD columnist Joe Kelly writing about Frank storming into his office to provide more information on a column or giving ideas for new topics.
The last time I saw Frank was on January 16, along with Chris Read, Bill Willman, Jeff Delucia, Paul Frezza and Rick Rotondi. We played him a tape of the 2005 staff singing Here’s to Dear Old Russell, Dunderbeck and our traditional three closing songs. When I baited him by inserting my hands in my pockets, he did not disappoint us, telling me from across the room to “Take your hands out of your pockets you big baboon!”
Frank J. DeVito with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
Everybody’s friend. Everybody’s loss.
The Scouting Journey of Frank DeVito
From Scouting Magazine Jan/Feb 1999.
Messages of Sympathy (from Funeral Home website)
Frank was a great man and the best example of
what Scouting is about. His spirit will live on during the Friday Night
Campfires at his beloved Camp Russell. Will will miss you "Dunderbeck" Mike
Camp Russell Staff member 1978-1981
Written by Mike Marusic
2006-03-16 10:57:58 PM
Fran, We were so sorry to read of Frank's death, although I know he had been
ill for a long time. He was truly an accomplished man who made so many
contributions to the Boys Scouts and to this community. I know Kevin
remembers him well for his trips to Jay-K looking for wood to be used in his
many projects. You can be very proud of his legacy. With all our sympathy,
Nancy and Kevin
Written by Nancy and Kevin Kelly
2006-03-17 10:41:25 AM
Rest in peace Frank. Say howdy to man Dad, your old friend from UFA and
Scouting. I lived and worked in Paris for three years and it was everything
you said it would be. I regret not working harder at the French language as
your student. M&M/Mars spent thousands getting me further along the path you
started me on. You were one of the teachers that made UFA a special place in
the late 50s. May God grant you all the blessings of a good and faithful
servant.
Written by Jim Harding
2006-03-17 10:45:34 PM
My deepest sympathy to Frank's family. It's been over 30 years and I can
still see Frank around the camp fire at Camp Russell leading us in "Dunderbeck"
like only he could, and for all the instruction in the Pioneering area.
Thanks for showing a young scout how to do it right.
Written by Tom Baggetta
2006-03-17 11:28:21 AM
It was with great sorrow that I learned today of the passing of Mr. DeVito,
who was my Italian instructor at UFA (1971-75). To this day, I owe a great
deal to Frank for all that he taught me about Italian culture and
language--knowledge that I continue to apply in the classroom as a professor
of Fine Arts at Gannon University in Erie, PA. Frank was advisor of UFA's
Italian Club ("Circolo Italiano"), of which I was president for 2 years. In
his capacity as club advisor, Frank invited students to parties held at the
family bakery. I will never forget those events. Because I was one of
thousands of students Mr. DeVito encountered in his years at UFA, he
probably never knew the height of my regard for him nor the extent of my
appreciation for all that he gave me as a teacher and mentor. I hope, in my
daily interaction with my own students, I am able to live up to the standard
of service to others he maintained in my high school classroom. Tanti grazie
mio professore, Franco!
Written by Michael DeSanctis, Ph.D.
2006-03-17 11:37:53 AM
Frank was a great mentor. Working at camp, Frank knew well the meaning of
"Necessity is the mother of invention." He was a great problem solver. He
had a way of getting people to "get the job done." He never talked about
projects; he just did them. He got people to move and to get their hands out
of their pockets. I'll never forget him or his valuable lessons.
Written by Paul Frezza
2006-03-17 12:20:56 AM
as a young staff, i spent a lot of free time "helping" frank carve. he
tought me about the tools and the wood. frank gave me my first chisels,
which i still use today. i will always think of him when i carve
Written by jeff delucia
2006-03-17 12:33:47 AM
ill miss ya frank
Written by d b
2006-03-17 12:41:00 PM
It was amazing to get to work with Frank at Russell during his last couple
years. I'll never forget the time I spent helping him with his projects. I
was fortunate enough to be the first staff member to teach Pioneering after
he left. It was truly an honor. "Devito...Devito...Devito eats the rind!!!"
Written by Dan Richards
2006-03-17 1:04:53 PM
I have had the pleasure of having Mr. Devito as my Italian teacher, as a
1971 graduate of UFA. His knowledge and passion for teaching left a lasting
impression on me. He was truly a great mentor. May his sole rest in peace.
Written by Joanna Ardo
2006-03-17 3:56:38 PM
Mr. DeVito was such a wonderful French teacher and mentor, especially to the
French Club at UFA (I was a member of the class of 1967)! He made learning a
new language an adventure rather than a task, and for that I'll always be
grateful. He was a special man. Au revoir, mon ami.
Written by Joanne Pacilio-Worrall
2006-03-17 5:21:14 AM
I was saddened to hear of Frank's passng.He was a great leader of men. He
was a great help to me in college where I first learned from him how to deal
wth adversity. I have looked up to him as a mentor ever since.May God bless
his soul.
Written by John L. Matt,Sr.
2006-03-17 5:23:07 AM
It is an honor to say I worked at camp with Frank. I knew I had made it at
Camp Russell when Frank called me by name. It was a very special thing
sitting with Frank during a break in the action and just listening. One of
my favorite memories was dinner on Fridays singing alloitte. "Get your hands
out of your pockets you big baboon."
Written by Joseph Krutz
2006-03-17 5:37:51 PM
Frank was a Great guy to work with and Learn from. I will always Remember
"Get your hands out of your Pockets" and also Eggs and Peppers late night
for the "Staff". A Good Man. Thanks Mr.DeVito
Written by Peter Cecconi
2006-03-17 8:36:03 AM
It was an honor and pleasure serving on Camp Russell Staff with Frank. I'm
sure many of our homes are decorated with a Camp Russell bench that Frank
built for us. He will always be remembered by all of his Scouting family.
Matha Lee Camp Russell Staff 1988-1999
Written by Martha Lee
2006-03-17 9:52:23 AM
"The aliens brought my tower back!" -Frank
Written by Rick Rotondi
2006-03-20 4:58:55 PM
Frank DeVito, one of the most caing, gracious men I ever met. A leader and a
teacher who taught by example and always most importantly, listened. I know
his spirit lives in every tree and building at Russell and in ythe hearts of
all those scouts at families around the friday night campfire. I can't hear
Dunderbeck without thinking (and smiling) about Frank and the bench he and
Bill carved still is in my home. Frank, what a legacy you've left behind,
wonderful people who live the lessons you taught them.
Written by Austin Janice
2006-03-20 5:33:03 PM
Mr. DeVito as I always called him, ment many things to me. Growing up on the
800 block of Jay street and attending Brandegee School and having Mr. DeVito
as the Scout Master of Troop 53,what more could a young man ask for! Camp
Russell, and those magnificent totem poles, Camp Balleu and the
overnighters. His generosity and his guidence and his love of Scouting will
be hard to replace. Rest In Peace Mr. DeVito. Boy Scout Salute. Two
Written by Paul Mangano
2006-03-20 8:55:37 AM
Frank was both an inspirationa and an institution. His style and grace will
live on in the hearts and memories of generations of staff and campers who
attended Camp Russell. Frank is the stuff that Russell legend and lore is
built on. I will always remember, the benches, wood carvings, Clemintine and
of course Dunderbeck! We all learned a lot from Frank. Steve Silverman Scout
Executive General Herkimer Council 1986-2001
Written by Steve Silverman
2006-03-21 11:05:32 AM
Frank was the best. He was the finest example of what scouting has to offer.
His blend of humour and importance of doing a job the right way helped
define thousands of scouts through the years. Who can't remember having him
help tie those taught line hitches when setting up the village tents. Along
with all the good memories that others have mentioned, some of my favorites
include when he would have the new scouts put the pine cones on the fire,
and the tricks he would help play on Spike with the mice in the High
Adventure cage. I will treasure the Bench Frank made for me my last year
working at camp and both Beth and I will miss him terribly.
Written by Jeff and Beth Richey
2006-03-22 2:44:45 PM
Than you for teaching me the right way to live Frank. Rest in peace and God
Bless.
Written by Dave Kolceski
2006-03-23 6:37:07 AM
If the measure of a man is truely determined by the number of lives they
touched, Frank DeVito has established himself as the measuring stick to be
compared with. He was an inspiration on what it means to be a man true to
himself and did not demand respect, but rather earned it from each person
that knew him! - Poke-a dot the brown house.
Written by Kory Smith
2006-03-23 9:37:17 AM
I read the obit online and had exactly one hour to get down to the funeral
home and didn't know where St. Mary Mt Carmel was. I called Mike DiMeo and
got his answermachine. I called Sal Alberico Sr, and he said he couldn't go
and I was extraordinarily upset. Uncle Chich, and Uncle Tommy DeVito, I am
their direct descendents, as are the Albericos on the DeVito side. No Sal
Sr., No Sal Jr there? no Ricky Alberico there? Only Paul DeVito sat behind
me and Amy was flanked by myself and Monk. Since when are calling hours only
one hour? Poor Tommy DeVito had an ophthalmologist's appointment and when he
got back from Syracuse Chich was already buried. Ralph DeVito MD of Yale was
only notified by me at 5:45 A.M. and had no way to drive up to utica for a
private viewing. It's a shame "Fran" and "Frank" weren't a little more
compassionate for Aunt Mary and the wife's side of the DeVito family. We're
going to have some memorial service up at Hamilton sometime this spring.
Check the memorials for where to send your checks. My only solace is that
Monk tells me that maybe this is the way Chich wanted it, because he didn't
want a huge public viewing, and this is all that consols me in my grief over
the passing of this wonderful man. Romy & Monk
Written by Rosemary E. Britelli
2006-03-25 5:25:32 PM
It was truly a pleasure to get to know Frank over the years. A graceful man
that was the definition of scouting at its best.
Written by Rod Grabowski
2006-03-28 8:37:49 AM