Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Cussie, when the phone rang Saturday afternoon, I was at my favorite place, Notre Dame watching a game in person. I saw that Frank's name came across my phone, I said great I can't wait to tell him where I was. He and I always talked about Notre Dame, he was a fan like myself. I remember the time we all went out to Pittsburgh to watch the Irish play Pitt. We where on the field before the start of the game I was watching the Irish go though their pre game warm ups when Zeke yells hey Neil is that Joe DiMaggio? Sure enough it was, Frankie runs over and asks Joe D for is autograph, Frank was maybe at the time a bigger Yankee Fan than a ND fan. He was so proud to get that autograph I think he still has it to this day. One other fond memory is when we where at his cousins' Johnny's wedding and met we Chuck Wepner (the Heavyweight boxer), now remember Zekie was every bit of maybe 5'7" about 170 pounds, Chuck Wepner was 6'7" about 290 pounds Frankie did not miss a beat he said "Chuck let me take you out on the dance floor and show you some moves, Chucks response was ( stating this as nice as I can) I do not need any moves buddy. Frank and I were not related by blood, although he was like a brother to me, we have something special we were good lifelong friends, My wife and I are the God Parents to beautiful Niki, so that tells you how close we were that he would place that honor on us. So again when the phone rang and I said hey Cuz what's up and voice on the other end was you, Cussie, and you told me he just passed away it just made my heart stop and I cried in front of everyone at that ND football game, then I realize that my friend Zeke was there with me, looking down maybe with Touchdown Jesus just enjoying the beautiful sunny afternoon watching the IRISH. I will really miss him, as I know You, Niki and Frank III will even more. But just remember the good times we all had and He will always be in our hearts. We love you Cussie, be safe, you and your family are in Cheryl and my hearts and prayers. God Bless you.