Frank R. Delisle

In Memory of Frank Reo Delisle

On Wednesday, April 24, 2019, our beloved Father, Pepe’re, Brother, Uncle and Son, entered into “The Glory of God”.  Frank was born in Chicopee, MA in 1921 and raised by his maternal grandparents and his Aunt Kate.  He attended Chicopee High School and soon after graduation in 1939 he went on to work at the Springfield Armory.  At the age of 20, during a blind date to the movies starring Judy Canova in Scatter Brain, little did he know what a legacy he was going to leave with this beautiful blind date, Rita who became his wife for over 74 years!

Frank enlisted in the Army Air Corp on Sept. 15, 1942 & served in Brazil during World War II.  He took off just enough time to marry his sweetheart, Rita in 1943.  They started their family and eventually had 4 children, Frank, Dennis, Debbie and David.  Frank was very handy at just about everything, including remodeling flats that they purchased with the Marcotte’s, and named their company Del Mar Construction.  Frank also built their first family home on Lyman St and then his second home on Manning Street.  Even though they had a great life there, in 1959, when the printing shop where Frank worked closed, they decided to seek other opportunities and make the big move to CA!  Unfortunately, on the drive out, they lost most of their belongings in a moving van fire.  It seemed like a setback at the time, but an opportunity that would positively change their lives came their way and Frank along with his lovely wife started their Amway Business.

Frank was a friend to all in every sense of the word, but very few people knew how shy he was when he shared the Business Plan in living rooms or at the Center or speaking in front of thousands around the world.  It started out as Rita’s dream, but she being the love of Frank’s life, he learned to overcome his shyness to help her start the business and together they would go on to build a life they at one time only dreamed of.  He learned to fly his own plane and captain his own 38-foot motor yacht.  They invested in income-producing properties and vacationed in many exotic places! Theirs is truly a “rags to riches” story!  And with all the public recognition from around the world and the large checks earned, Frank remained a humble man and was not one to flaunt his success with which the Lord blessed him with.  His humility showed in his reserved demeanor and in his actions.  Frank was genuine.  He believed God’s Word, so he lived God’s Word consistently. 

Frank didn’t preach one thing and then go home and live another. His consistent life of integrity profoundly influenced his four children in both words and deeds.  Frank’s life as a father illustrates the morals and integrity in raising his children. And the legacy continues through his 7 loving grandchildren and 13 beautiful great grandchildren! In his later years he would share amazing stories of his life (at their request).

His religion played an important role in not only his life but also in the way he lived his life. In later years when church was impossible to get to, we thank Sharon, one of the church parishioners, (and now a great friend) for coming to the house for 10 years every Sunday so they could receive the Holy Eucharist.  Up until the last week before Frank’s death, (one week shy of 98), he was kneeling each night at his bedside in prayer no matter how he felt. Even with the difficulty of breathing because of COPD, rarely did you hear a word about his discomfort.  And as his life was coming to an end you could still hear him thanking us for the gestures we were making to keep him comfortable. He was a true gentleman through & through. We are going to miss his sweet demeanor, those beautiful blue eyes, that sweet smile, those encouraging phrases we could count on each time we got together, & those great stories.  We miss him so much but are comforted in knowing that he is home and rejoined, with the love of his life, Rita!

As Dad would always end his telephone conversation….

”Thank you for calling,  bye bye now”

And before retiring for the night…

“Nighty night now…..see you in the morning”

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