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- Francis J. Lorango, “Frankie” 97, of North Tonawanda passed away peacefully on Monday, November 13, 2023. Husband of the late Martha (nee Keller) Lorango. Loving fiancé of Anne Trane. Dear father of Gene F. (Barbara) Lorango and the late Nancy Hook. Father in law of Arthur Hook. Proud grandfather of Jennifer (Jay) Whitacre, Megan (Kirk) Jorgensen, Blake Wilkerson and Angeline Wilkerson. Great-grandfather of Lianna, Ryland, Arlo, Lukas and Oscar. Brother of Vincent (Mary) Lorango. Also survived by a nephew and several cousins.
Friends received by the family on Friday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Brunner Funeral Home, 156 Robinson St., North Tonawanda. A Memorial Mass with Military Honors will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, Oliver at Center St. in North Tonawanda. Interment at Elmlawn Cemetery will be private.
After serving with the US Navy as a Seaman First Class during WWII, Frank started in business as a Huffy and Schwinn Bicycle Dealer. “Frankie’s Twin City Cyclery” served the Tonawanda’s for over 40 years and was complemented by various other businesses including a Slot Car Shop, a ceramic studio, Frankie’s Fast Speedway and a hobby shop.
As the director of the SUGAR & JAZZ Orchestra, “Mr. L” led local, middle and high school youth in keeping “the music that memories are made of” and the “Big Band Sound” alive in the hearts of the young and old. For over forty years Frank and Martie dedicated countless hours to band practice, performances, and educational trips. Under their loving, yet strict guidance, hundreds of young people flourished and perfected their musical abilities in an environment that stressed community service, working towards a common goal and having fun while doing it.
Frankie was a two-time President of the Exchange Club of the Tonawanda’s as well as a former President of the National Bicycle Dealers Association of WNY. In 2000, he was honored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawanda’s as their Citizen of the Year for his outstanding community leadership and service. Frank was a member of Sikora Post American Legion.
In his younger days, Frank enjoyed bowling, hunting and piloting his Cessna 150 which he flew out of Niagara Falls Airport. He was a fan of the Buffalo Bills and the New York Yankees. Frank loved reminiscing about his youth. His stories were detailed, full of “old school” wisdom, and usually left the listener laughing at his adventures and marveling at his memory. Frank spent his later years with Anne vacationing in Cape Coral, FL and residing in Niagara Falls.
If you knew him, you loved him, and he will be sadly missed by all.
The family requests that you honor Frank with a donation to the Community Music School of Buffalo, 217 East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo NY 14208.
www.communitymusicbuffalo.org
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1926 - 2023 (97 years)