Frank Joseph Rotunda, Sr.
Frank Joseph “Roto” Rotunda Sr., 88, of Washington, died Thursday, November 7, 2019.
He was born in Penowa January 14, 1931, the eighth child born to Chiara (Clara) Paletta and Fortunato Rotundo, both from Savelli, Italy.
Mr. Rotunda was a graduate of Avella High School Class of 1948. He joined the U.S. Navy shortly after graduating and upon his discharge from the Navy, his passion for sports prompted him to pursue a career in teaching and coaching.
Mr. Rotunda earned his degree in social studies and physical education at West Liberty University. His teaching career began in Canton, Ohio, at Canton South Junior High School for two years. He was offered a teaching position in social studies and assist coaching football, basketball and baseball at Trinity High School. Mr. Rotunda held his teaching position for 20 years, during which time he completed his master’s degree in education at West Virginia University.
Shortly after beginning his teaching career, he married Audrey Hower and they had two children together, Frank Jr. and Cynthia “Cindi.”
Mr. Rotunda coached Midget League Football at the Brownson House for numerous years and won multiple championships. He was known to many as “Coach.”
He was an avid golfer and a dedicated member of the Washington Country Club for more than 45 years. Mr. Rotunda never lost his passion for sports, and into the declining years of his 80s followed a regimen of golfing with his friends at the club as often as possible. When he could no longer compete, he would accompany his grandson, Jordan Pruce, and coached him from his golf cart as they followed the terrain.
Mr. Rotunda was also a member of the Jefferson Historical Society and assisted Kathryn Slasor at several meetings of the A.D. White Research Center located in Avella.
He loved sports and was richly rewarded by the educators at Trinity High School when he was selected to have his name inscribed on the Athletic Wall of Fame at the school. This was an honor he proudly carried throughout the rest of his life.
Surviving are his son, Frank Joseph Rotunda Jr. of Washington; his daughter, Cynthia Rotunda Pruce and husband Scott of Nashua, N.H.; grandchildren Christina (Frank Zaccone), Alyssa (the late David Chappel) and Julianne Rotunda of Washington, Alexander Pruce of Manhattan, N.Y., and Jordan Pruce of Nashua; and great-grandchildren Audrianna and Alexandra Zaccone and Hunter and Grayson Chappel.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his ex-wife, Audrey Hower Rotunda; his second wife, Bernice Dubich Rotunda; three sisters and their husbands, Adeline (John Muzopappa), Matilda (Alfonso Dorisio) and Jenina (Gordon Schott); and four brothers and their wives, Joseph and Louise Marchione Rotunda, Peter and Amelia Marchione Rotunda, Robert and Elda Mitchell Rotundo and Frank Rotundo, who died in 1927 at four years of age.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Warco-Falvo Funeral Home Inc., corner of Wilson and East Katherine avenues, Washington, S. Timothy Warco, supervisor/director, Susan Falvo Warco, director, S. Timothy Warco II, director. A prayer service will be held in the funeral home at 9 a.m. Wednesday, November 13, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 119 West Chestnut Street, Washington, with the Rev. John Lynam as celebrant. Interment will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.