Frank J. Albergo

Frank J. Albergo passed quietly in his sleep in the early morning hours of 11/9/2025. It was just one week after joyously celebrating his 93rd birthday. He was born in Brooklyn on November 2,1932, to Joseph and Rose Albergo. He was one of eight children, and has been pre-deceased by six siblings with one surviving brother.

Frank met the love of his life, Lillian A. Frawley, in Brooklyn when she was still a Senior at Fort Hamilton High School. He was a Sophomore at St John’s University School of Pharmacy. The first day he met Lillian, he told her he would marry her. She told him he was crazy. And, they married on July 2,1955. Sadly, Lillian, pre-deceased Frank in March of 2014, after a long battle with cancer. They were just shy of their 59th wedding anniversary. They shard a good life together.

Frank began his pharmacy career and he and Lillian began a family. In 1957, Frank was drafted to Korea when his oldest daughter was only 3 weeks old. He served 18 months overseas at the end of the Korean War. He loved to tell the story of his oldest daughter, Sally (Anthony) recognizing him and saying “Hi Daddy” when Lillian picked him up at Idlewild Airport (now known as JFK). Nine months and 3 days later, Pierrette (Doug) was born. Three more daughters followed, Angela (Edward), Lillian (Jon) and Francesca (Peter). The family traveled the world quite a bit because of Lillian, certainly not Frank. He was always reluctant to take time off, but Lillian planned trip after trip after trip reassuring him she was going with or without him. He always went!! They raised their 5 daughters in Centereach NY, where Dad owned his drugstore and moved to Holbrook many years later. They had 14 grandchildren. Pierrette (Chris), Andrea (James), Monica (Joshua), Edward (Nicole), Joseph (Kristina), Sarah (Ryan), Michael (Melissa), John (Miriah), Emma, Peter, James, Lillian (Sam), Donald, Matthew (Rebekah).

Frank’s drugstore, Village Chemists of Centereach, was owned and operated by him until Nov. 2, 2005. He locked the doors for the last time on his 73rd birthday. He was a constant in the community for over 50 years. Grown men who had known him since they were children themselves were crying when he sold his store to Shop and Stop Pharmacy. He was a good pharmacist and loved his profession! Frank clearly cared about his customers. His drugstore was also a place that employed each of his daughters for their first job. Owning a drugstore was quite beneficial when the grandchildren started coming. One day he figured out, he diapered 14 grandchildren at the cost of approximately $75,000. A lucky break for his daughters.

Frank lost his vision completely about 6 yrs ago. He absolutely hated being blind!!! He let his family know every day. He used to tell them how he prayed daily that his family would never experience vision loss. He became very dependent in most aspects of his life. It was frustrating for him which was understandable. He would complain that he could not see the faces of his great-grandchildren. He had 20! Gavin (23), Ryan (17), Sheala (16), Kate (14), Mave (12), Sadie (12), Nora (10), Liam (9), Savannah (9), Mira (8), Jackson (7), Jackie (6), Luci (6), Jameson (5), Naomi (5), Wes (4), Drew (3), Luca (21m), Harper (1), Natalia (8m).

On September 23, 2025, Frank was admitted to The Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook. It was a very difficult decision but safety was the key factor. Over his last two weeks, Frank was becoming very comfortable and acclimated to his new surroundings. His family knew that they had made the right choice for him but God had other plans.

He was truly a blessed man. He will be missed!

In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Guide Dog Foundation:

Under Tribute: Frank J. Albergo

Guide Dog Foundation