In Memory Of
Francis Raymond Motolo
1930
2021
Francis Raymond Motolo
January 8, 1930 — January 29, 2021
Francis "Frank" Motolo died Friday, January 29, 2021 at Francis House at the age of 91 after a 13yr battle with prostate cancer. He fought his disease the same way he lived his life- worried more about how his disease might affect others and his ability to help them, rather than how it would himself.
Frank was born in Hartford, CT on January 8, 1930. He was the youngest of four children born to Carmello and Angeline Raymond Motolo. His father died when he was only 8yrs old. Frank joined the US Army in 1947 at the age of 17 and proudly served with the 3rd Infantry. During his 21yr active military career, he completed two tours of duty in Korea and one in Japan, where he was assigned to debrief POWs. As a Corporal, he was awarded the Bronze Star during the Korean War.
In 1954, while stationed in Plattsburgh NY, he met the love of his life while cashing a check at a local bank where she was employed as a teller. He jokingly insisted she only dated him because she mistook his Social Security number for his bank balance. The two were married a year later. In 1962, he was stationed in Liverpool, NY as an active Army advisor and retired there in 1968. Frank went on to work full-time for a local developer, part-time for Sears and Roebuck, and also attended college in the evenings. In 1979, he returned to military service working at the US Army Syracuse Recruiting Battalion as one of our country's first civilian Army recruiters. He later became their facilities manager, before retiring for good in 2014 at the young age of 84.Article here
Frank received Presidential, Senatorial, and Congressional acknowledgement for his 56yr dedication to the US Army.
Anyone who met Frank was immediately introduced to his kind and generous demeanor, quick wit, and wonderful sense of humor. He loved to joke, and his sense of humor lasted into the final days of his life. He could be found in Rackliff Island, ME in the fall and Florida in the winter and enjoyed those trips for over thirty years. In retirement, he spent even more of his time focusing on family and friends. He continued doing accounting work for his son at Motolo Motors Ltd. which he had done since 1985. Nothing was more important than spending time with his family, and he eagerly awaited every family event. His love, kindness, humility, generosity and laughter will be forever missed.
Frank is survived by his wife of 65yrs, Jeannine, a daughter Patricia (Joseph) Snyder, two sons Perry and Paul, two grandchildren, Joseph and Marko, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by all of his siblings.
Francis was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
Family correspondence can be mailed to: Motolo Family, PO Box 494, Syracuse, NY 13209. Memorial donations may be made to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208 or Clear Path for Veterans, 1223 Salt Springs Rd., Chittenango, NY 13037.
To leave a message of condolence for Frank's family, or to share a special memory of Frank, visit the guestbook below.
Frank was born in Hartford, CT on January 8, 1930. He was the youngest of four children born to Carmello and Angeline Raymond Motolo. His father died when he was only 8yrs old. Frank joined the US Army in 1947 at the age of 17 and proudly served with the 3rd Infantry. During his 21yr active military career, he completed two tours of duty in Korea and one in Japan, where he was assigned to debrief POWs. As a Corporal, he was awarded the Bronze Star during the Korean War.
In 1954, while stationed in Plattsburgh NY, he met the love of his life while cashing a check at a local bank where she was employed as a teller. He jokingly insisted she only dated him because she mistook his Social Security number for his bank balance. The two were married a year later. In 1962, he was stationed in Liverpool, NY as an active Army advisor and retired there in 1968. Frank went on to work full-time for a local developer, part-time for Sears and Roebuck, and also attended college in the evenings. In 1979, he returned to military service working at the US Army Syracuse Recruiting Battalion as one of our country's first civilian Army recruiters. He later became their facilities manager, before retiring for good in 2014 at the young age of 84.Article here
Frank received Presidential, Senatorial, and Congressional acknowledgement for his 56yr dedication to the US Army.
Anyone who met Frank was immediately introduced to his kind and generous demeanor, quick wit, and wonderful sense of humor. He loved to joke, and his sense of humor lasted into the final days of his life. He could be found in Rackliff Island, ME in the fall and Florida in the winter and enjoyed those trips for over thirty years. In retirement, he spent even more of his time focusing on family and friends. He continued doing accounting work for his son at Motolo Motors Ltd. which he had done since 1985. Nothing was more important than spending time with his family, and he eagerly awaited every family event. His love, kindness, humility, generosity and laughter will be forever missed.
Frank is survived by his wife of 65yrs, Jeannine, a daughter Patricia (Joseph) Snyder, two sons Perry and Paul, two grandchildren, Joseph and Marko, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by all of his siblings.
Francis was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
Family correspondence can be mailed to: Motolo Family, PO Box 494, Syracuse, NY 13209. Memorial donations may be made to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208 or Clear Path for Veterans, 1223 Salt Springs Rd., Chittenango, NY 13037.
To leave a message of condolence for Frank's family, or to share a special memory of Frank, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Francis Raymond Motolo, please visit our flower store.
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