Frank Joseph Pignanelli passed on to his eternal home on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at Chelsea Hospital with family members by his side. He was born on May 10, 1937 in Dearborn, Michigan to immigrant parents who had emigrated from San Giovanni en Fiore in Calabria, Italy.
He attended school in Dearborn graduating from Fordson High School in 1955. His parents, Battista and Rose (Iaquinta) Pignanelli, a stone mason and a housewife, were thrilled when their only son was accepted at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. His entire family, including his older sisters, Mary and Francisca, made many sacrifices to finance his pursuit. Upon graduation in 1960, he became the first in his immediate family to earn a college degree.
It was at UofM that he met his future wife and fellow student, Sharon Lee McKay. Upon her graduation in 1961, they were married at St. Clement Church in Dearborn. That union resulted in the birth of two children, Lisa Marie Pignanelli (Ivey) born at Ireland Army Hospital in Fort Knox, Kentucky in 1963, near the end of his military service, and John Christopher, born in Ann Arbor in 1965. Lisa and Clark Ivey in turn gifted him with three beloved grandchildren; Brett (UofM 2019), Megan (CMU 2020) and Trent (UofM 2022).
The return to civilian life in 1964 and reemployment with Cunningham Drugs, marked the resumption of a long career in retail pharmacy which concluded with his retirement from Rite Aid in 2000. As each company was purchased by another he continued to be employed as a pharmacy manager by Apex and Perry Drugs. Along the way, he maintained a relationship with the School of Pharmacy and was a preceptor for students for many years.
He was a member of St. Mary of Chelsea Catholic Church, K of C Council #3092, and K of C 4th Degree Assembly #0489, where he served in the Color Corp.
The long and varying hours of retail pharmacy left little time for volunteer activities, so once retired, Frank began making up for lost time. For a number of years, he was in charge of many projects for the Knights of Columbus Council #3092 including the Tootsie Roll Campaign and Bingo at the County Fair. The St. Louis Center Golf Outing also enjoyed his volunteer organizing efforts. He was involved early on in setting up and organizing volunteers for what is now known throughout the region as the Chelsea Sounds and Sights Festival. He shared his enthusiasm as a member of the Chelsea Senior Center Board, and his rich baritone voice as a member of the St. Mary choir and the Chelsea Senior Center Barbershop Quartet.
Frank was always ready to pack his bags and go, so he eagerly accompanied his wife on business trips as she traveled to Adelaide, Australia, the Fiji islands, Hawaii or other US destinations.
Retirement offered additional time to take many cruises to locations in the Caribbean along with Italy and other European countries.
Frank loved his family, his Catholic faith, his friends, music of all kinds from opera to RAP, sports and his beloved University of Michigan. He will be dearly missed by all who experienced his outgoing personality and his always smiling face.
Forever Go Blue!
Visitation will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Friday, December 29, 2023, from 2-4 p.m. & 6-8 p.m., with a Rosary/Vigil at 7:00 p.m. The family will also receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10-11 a.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church, Chelsea with V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church Music Ministry or the St. Louis Center.
