Obituary of Frank J. Castelli

CASTELLI, Frank Joseph, 88, Village of Winterset, passed away Thursday, September 12, 2013 at Miner’s Medical Center. Born July 4, 1925 in South Fork. The son of Anthony and Bianca (Bendinelli) Castelli. Preceded in death by parents, brother Thomas, sister Adelaide LaMantia, father-in-law Roy E. Philips, Jr. Survived by wife, Susan, daughter Mary Frances Bruck (Gerald), daughter of the late Stella Lauder, granddaughter Maribeth Makepeace, grandson Eric Castelli Toll (Carolyn), sister Victoria Law, mother in law Laura T. Philips, brother in law Thomas W. Philips, sisters in law Barbara O’Connell (Ray) and Margaret F. Reynolds (fiancé of John Sumrada) and Theresa Castelli. Also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and godchildren. Maintained a special person and professional relationship with Richard T. (Dr. Patti Stefanick) Williams, Sr. and his family. A man of accomplishment, he was a Scoutmaster, Nanty-Glo Postmaster, coal truck driver. He was most known for his Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Ebensburg with automobile sales and leasing operations. He was a Representative on the National Dealer Council of Ford Motor Corporation, Chairman of the National Ford Dealer Council Finance Committee, Chairman of the Pittsburgh District Ford Dealers Advertising Fund, Chairman of the National Ford Dealer Parts and Service Committee and a Member of the Philadelphia District Lincoln-Mercury Advertising Fund. He was Chairman of the Cambria County Industrial Heritage Committee, President of the Cambria County Historical Society, President of the Ebensburg Borough Council, Chairman of the Cambria County Transit Authority, Member of the Governing Board of the American Public Transit Assn., President’s Cabinet Member at St. Francis College, Board Member at Mount Aloysius College, Board Member at Miner’s Hospital, General Chairman, Admiral Peary Vocational-Technical Curriculum Committee, President of Ebensburg Country Club, and Chairman of Bishop Carroll High School Athletic Association and a member of Holy Name Roman Catholic Church. He was the Interim Chairman of BGM Diversified Energy in Vancouver, Canada. Frank developed Central Transportation, Inc. a multi school district bus transportation corporation. He was a three-time gubernatorial appointee to state committees. Frank developed the Good Samaritan Nursing Care Center (now part of Conemaugh Hospital), Castel Manor Farm horse-breeding facility and Castel Gate Nursery for Christmas Trees. Frank was a successful race horse owner and partner. Frank’s love of horses, both thoroughbred and standardbred, led him to become President of The Meadows (Racetrack) Standardbred Owner’s Association and Chairman, Member of the PA (Horse) Breeders Fund/Sire Stakes Advisory Board, and the Pennsylvania Live Horse Racing Council representing all established PA racetracks and horse breeders. Representing all horsemen statewide enabled Frank to work directly with state legislators and he was instrumental in developing the legislation that created “racinos”, independent slots parlors, and established the beneficiaries of the revenue generated by slots play. He enjoyed his golf & Steeler games. A public visitation will be held on Monday, September 16, 2013 at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes Inc. 300 North Julian Street, Ebensburg from 2 pm to 8 pm. Frank’s funeral will be private. The Castelli family would be grateful and humbled to have donations in Frank’s memory directed to organizations benefitting children’s health programs, wounded military, food pantries and/or animal welfare. A special note of heartfelt thanks to Dr. Matthew Dvorchak and the entire staff of Miner’s Medical Center for their care of Frank and his family---your skills, compassion, prayers and rosaries are appreciated more than words can express.