Obituary
Frank Castrataro
1951 - 2024
With profound sadness, we mourn the passing of Frank Castrataro on March 21, 2024 following a brave, 4-month battle with lung cancer. Frank was born in Casacalenda, Italy on October 14, 1951 to Elena Miserere and Donato Castrataro. Frank was his own man, known for his independent, entrepreneurial spirit, his infectious love of music and speed, and his legendary cooking skills.
Frank’s early years were spent in Casacalenda, Italy. At the age of six, the family immigrated to Canada, eventually settling in Montreal, and it was through TV shows that Frank and his younger siblings, Mike, the late Angela, and Fernando, learned English. This bond still shows up when – with great glee - they start reciting those favourite TV episodes, verbatim.
After graduating from John F. Kennedy High School in 1968, Frank was eager to forge his own path. It wasn’t long before Frank’s work ethic, curiosity and drive to excel, sparked a lifelong career in sales leadership and management.
Professionally, Frank went from winning awards at Fortune 500 companies (Xerox, Burroughs Wellcome) to eventually stepping into his life-long goal of owning his own business. This he enjoyed for 30 years.
Not ready to retire when the pandemic hit, Frank was undaunted. He found new work and to his surprise, enjoyed working remotely from home.
While Frank’s work was exciting, challenging, and fulfilling, it was his family and pastimes that encompassed his greatest joy.
In 1989, after a long-distance romance – and thousands of dollars in phone bills between Edmonton and Montreal – Frank married, Leslie Lockhart, and together they raised a family of three children: Connor, Chloe and TJ. Frank believed his biggest accomplishment in life was his three children. Father’s Day was his favourite day of the year.
Frank’s constant gum-chewing, leg-tapping habit became an endearing signal of his penchant for speed! Frank loved anything fast. Before kids, he was an avid dirt-biker and motorcyclist. After kids, it was roller blades, skateboards, hockey, mountain biking, and cycling to stay fit. And sports – again, anything with speed – from Formula 1 Grand Prix, to hockey and football. He was an exceptional teacher, and coached Ringuette and basketball games when his twins were young.
Frank loved to cook! It was a stress-release for him. A stressful day at the office often produced a very elaborate, delicious meal for the family. Frank’s famous pasta dishes were the highlight on Sundays, and at family gatherings. His seasonal drink recipes were legendary too. After a trip to Portugal, he created his summer sangria, and for the holidays, it was always his rich, potent version of Baileys.
Frank often said he had three loves: his wife, his kids and his guitars. Not always in that order! He would get lost in his music and spend hours studying, reading about, and playing guitars. Always in pursuit of the perfect sound, Frank was a proud collector of acoustic and electric guitars and amp equipment. Music was a passion he shared with his children. His love of classic rock and soul/blues rock can be found in his massive collection of CDs and albums of all the greats, dating back to the 70s.
Predeceased by his parents and his sister Angela, Frank’s memory is honored and kept alive by his loving wife of 34 years, Leslie; his children, Connor, Chloë, and TJ; his brothers Mike (Suzanne) and Fernando (Mary). Frank’s absence will also be felt by his nieces Bianca (Patrick) and Andrea (David); Nephew Giulio (Jennifer); his beloved aunts Maria (Pat deceased), Teresa (Guido deceased) and Eva; his uncle Ted; his cousins Yola (Robert), Nadia (Shaddrick), Pat (Tracy) and Lee (Michelle); his Mother-in-Law, Nancy (John deceased) who enjoyed and appreciated a happy relationship with Frank; his cherished adopted dog Ryder (Angela deceased) and cat Hunter; many extended family members in USA and Italy; and a host of friends and colleagues.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, 21 April, 2024 in the chapel of the Belvedere Funeral Complex, Senneville, Quebec. Visitation will take place from 12pm to 2pm, followed by a funeral mass at 2pm. A private scattering of Frank’s ashes by his wife and children will follow at 3pm.
22025 Trans-Canada Hwy, Senneville, Quebec H9X 0B2
The family would like to thank the oncology department of the Lakeshore General Hospital; Dr. Nicholas Meti and the entire medical team and staff of St. Mary’s Hospital, 5th Floor; Ste. Anne’s Hospital, 4th floor; and most especially during Frank’s final days, the compassion, dedication and care by the team at Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence led by Dr. Desanka Kovacina.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Franks’s memory may be made to the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence, https://residencesoinspalliatifs.ca/en/donate/ or (514) 693-1718 ext. 223. We know Frank would love that!
A man lives for as long as we carry him inside us,
For as long as we carry the harvest of his dreams,
For as long as we ourselves live,
Holding memories in common, a man lives.
– Brian Patten, excerpt from “So Many Different Lengths of Time”