Francesco "Frank" Iaboni

Francesco "Frank" Iaboni

Francesco Iaboni, age 84, of Erie, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on December 24, 2010. Francesco, born on October 18, 1926, was a native of Boville Ernica, Italy.

During his lifetime, he met every challenge with courage, strength, and integrity. Coming from a small village where farming was his only vocational choice, at age 14, he set out on his own and moved to Florence, Italy to complete secondary education. In 1946, he proudly graduated with a master's degree in accounting from the University of Florence. Francesco was the first person from his area to attend University. In Florence, he worked as an accountant, rode through the cobblestone streets on his motorcycle, and enjoyed the richness of life.

Despite his degree and experience, there were limited opportunities available to him in Italy. So, in 1960, his courage once again took him overseas to Toronto, Canada, where his sister Domenica and her husband Domenico resided. While there, a destined meeting with Mary Ferrante in 1962 eventually led to marriage in August 1963, where his new family began, lasting 47 loving years.

Francesco diligently worked on developing his English speaking skills and obtained U.S. citizenship. Unfortunately, the credentials of his degree and his language barrier, limited his opportunities. In order to provide for his new family, he worked for Marks Toys, and later for Gillespie Machine Shop, where he retired in 1991.

Francesco was most known for his comforting words, his joy and laughter, and his wisdom. In eight different languages, he was renowned for giving toasts at weddings. Family was always paramount for Francesco. Family history and traditions were important to him. He was a patriarch at many family functions, and the laughter he brought to these occasions would brighten up the room. Francesco was also known for his green thumb, and many enjoyed the fruits and vegetables from his garden, and he was also admired for his beautiful flower garden. He enjoyed traveling and he traveled extensively throughout Europe, visiting parts of his native Italy, England, France, Spain, and Switzerland. On two occasions, Francesco obtained a benediction for St. Paul's Catholic Church from Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict the 26th.

Francesco was preceded in death by his father Pietro Iaboni, his mother Liberata Colatosti Iaboni, his brother Luigi, and his sister Filomena, all of Italy, and his sister Domenica from Toronto, Canada.

Francesco is survived by his wife Mary of Erie, his two sons, Ronnie and his wife Selina of Toronto, Canada and Gary and his wife Betsy of Erie. He is survived by many nieces and nephews from Italy, Toronto, Canada, and Erie, Pennsylvania. Francesco was also lovingly called Uncle Frank even by those outside of the family.

Friends are invited to call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Tuesday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm and may attend a service there on Wednesday at 9 am followed by a Funeral Mass at Saint Paul RC Church, 1617 Walnut Street, at 9:30 am. A Christian Wake Service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 3 pm. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Saint Paul's Neighborhood Free Clinic, 1608 Walnut Street, Erie, PA 16502 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 1128 State St., # 301 Erie, PA 16501.