Frank Gariglio, Jr.

“Not bad for a kid from Cadogan”. Our pillar, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, went on to our Lord on Thursday May 13, 2021 at St. Margaret’s Hospital with his family at his bedside.  Son of Frank and Isabelle (Seddon) Gariglio, he was born June 6, 1931, in Cadogan, Pa.

A  graduate of Ford City High School class of 1949, he was a vibrant member of the football team for 4 years.  He was offered football scholarships to Pitt, Syracuse, West Virginia and Ohio State but was unable to accept them after a career ending injury his senior year. He then attended St. Vincent College, Latrobe. His injury persisted and several surgeries later, the “silver lining” was his meeting of future wife Shirley McCarney, his nurse at Allegheny General Hospital. The couple married October 22, 1951 and raised 3 children in the home he built in North Buffalo Township.

Frank worked at Penn Dixie Cement Corporation as a surveyor. Other jobs included teaching drafting at Schwab Vo-Tech Homestead, and as building inspector for the PA State Public School Building Authority and HHSDR Architects and Engineers, Sharon. He retired in August 1993.

Frank enjoyed social opportunities in the church and community, and was a member of Slate Lick United Presbyterian Church, the Adult Fellowship at Kittanning Elks. A generous contributor of local charities, he participated in philanthropic organizations. He also loved traveling with his wife, enjoying trips to his son’s home (and yearly elk hunting adventures), annual beach trips to Ocean City, Maryland (which began in 1962), Michigan, Ireland and England; where he had the opportunity at sunset to lower the Union Jack flag at Dover Castle, England. He also enjoyed cruises that included Alaska, Panama Canal, Caribbean and New England and took the upper Canadian rail tour.  His “Bucket List” also included other travel: touring Hawaii in 2016 and England, Normandy and Paris in 2017 (if you can sit for awhile, he’ll tell you about his travel!)

Always a caregiver, he took diligent care of his wife through her illnesses until her passing in October 2013 just after their 62nd anniversary. He continued to maintain his home, particular about the care of his yard and never forgot his many bird feeders!

He is survived by three children, Susan (Stephen) Greenhill of Freeport, Frank III (Laurel) Gariglio of Lewiston, ID, and Sandra (John) Vala of Plymouth, MI; ten grandchildren, Sarah Jayne (Kevin) Storer, Emily (Dustin) Guidash, Claire (Dan) Pajak, Sarah Ruth (Jason) Wicks, Frank Paul (Emma) Gariglio, Diana (Dustin) Clelland, Lauren (John-Taylor) Smith, Madeleine Vala (Delroy Baker), Kiersten Vala (Andrew Auquier), and Adrienne Vala; and nine great-grandchildren, Adelyn Guidash, Lane and Camas Wicks, Michelena and Frank Crosby Gariglio, Imogen and Cora Clelland, and Kellan and Connor Smith.

In addition to his parents and wife, he is predeceased by infant sister Isabelle in 1930.

The family would like to thank the staff of Concordia, Judy Schafer, and also, Frank's friends and neighbors.

Friends will be welcomed from 2-6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, in the Welch Funeral Home, 1032 4th Ave., Ford City.  Additional visitation will be held at Slate Lick United Presbyterian Church, on Monday, from 10-11 a.m.  Services will follow at in the church at 11 a.m., with Rev. Mark Davis officiating.  Interment will follow in Slate Lick Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army,205 S, Jefferson St.  Kittanning, Pa or another charitable organization in Frank’s name. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frank Gariglio, Jr., please visit our floral store.