IN MEMORIAM
FRANK PAUL SPAGNUOLO SR
Frank SR. went to be with his sweetheart in Heaven on Tuesday, December 21, 2022 at the age of 89.
Frank was born on March 2, 1933 in Lansing, MI to the late John and Mary Spagnuolo. He grew up as one of six children in the flats above his dad’s stores on the corner of St. Joe and Logan Street. He was a lifelong member of Holy Cross Catholic Church where he went to school and grew in his faith until its closing. Frank and his wife Delores then became members of St. Michael Catholic Church in Grand Ledge.
Frank met his soul mate Delores Spagnuolo and they were married on November 4, 1953. Together they spent 66 loving years. After their wedding Frank proudly served in the United States Army in 1953 until he was honorably discharged in 1955 as a Cannoneer. His time in the U.S. Army and being on tour in Germany were some of his most memorable times to reminisce on.
Upon his discharge he returned to Lansing where he bought and operated the Corner Store from his father on the corner of West St. Joe. While he owned the corner store he became an advocate for the Civil Rights movement. He watched out for his neighborhood and they watched over him.
When the 496 project took Frank’s store and his neighborhood, Frank opened Spag’s Party Store on the corner of Willow and Comfort. He was able to tell the world of his story of that time in the upcoming 496 documentary, Pave the Way.
For over 50 years he made community ties and relationships that will forever be cherished. When he sold Spag’s Party Store Frank worked as a General Manager for several Beer and Wine distributorships. Frank never truly “retired” or stopped working and began his final career with Horrocks. He and his best friend Tim Copeland ran the beer and wine department where he loved visiting and talking with customers and his beloved co-workers.
Frank was a 2nd Degree Black Belt, competitively shot trapped for the MTA in Mason, and was a founding lifelong member of the Ingham County Conservation Club. He was a proud Italian man who made sure to keep his Italian heritage at the forefront of his community but most of all in his family’s heart. He was a life member of the Italian American Club and a Past President of the St. Ippolito Society. As president he planned the annual St. Ippolito Festival that first started in 1938. For as long as many can remember he planned the festival and allowed the Italian community to come together in their faith and traditions.
Frank had a strong handshake, a big smile, and loved his family with his whole heart. He was wise, respected, loyal, gracious, kind, and compassionate and his family will forever be proud to call him theirs.
He was preceded in death by his wife Delores Spagnuolo in 2020 and his siblings Ursela (Paul) Caruso, Helen (Joseph) Covello, David (Theresa) Spagnuolo, Elizabeth “Betty” (Thomas) LaMacchia, and Virigina (Gerald) Granger. Frank is survived by his children, Frank (Susan) Spagnuolo, Antoinette “Nettie” (Joseph) Hoesl, Jeffery Spagnuolo, and Andrew Spagnuolo; 10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues.
The Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Michael Catholic Church. Visitation will be held on Monday from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 PM at the NEW Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Homes, Delta Chapel at 6301 W. St. Joe Hwy., Lansing 48917. Visitation will continue Tuesday at the church from 10:00-11:00 AM. Memorials may be made to Santi Ippolito Society at 1118 Centennial Way, Lansing MI 48917 to help keep the festival going or to St. Michael Catholic Church.
