Frank Stavola

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Former Staten Island resident Frank Stavola, 90, of Whiting, N.J., a retired business owner, postal worker and veteran who cherished his family, died Friday in the Whiting Medical Center.

Born in Hartford, Conn., he was raised in Brooklyn. In 1969, he moved to Bulls Head and settled in Whiting in 1992.

Mr. Stavola owned and operated a newsstand in South Brooklyn and a luncheonette in the Flatbush section of the borough for a total of 30 years. He then was a machine operator at the Manor Road Post Office for 13 years. He retired in 1987.

He graduated from Manual Trades High School in Brooklyn.

Mr. Stavola enjoyed bowling and bocce, as well as shooting pool. He also was an avid fan of the New York Mets, Rangers and Giants.

He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army's combat engineers in France in World War II. He was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart.

On the Island, Mr. Stavola was a parishioner of Our Lady of Pity R.C. Church, Bulls Head.

He kept the family together by having New Year's Eve parties for more than 50 years, said Mr. Stavola's son, Vincent Stavola. He had a great love for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Besides his son, Vincent, Mr. Stavola is survived by his wife of 64 years, the former Theresa Canale; his son, James Stavola; his daughters, Angela Castellano and Maria Battista; his sister, Rose Infuso; nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Tuesday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 11 a.m. in Our Lady Star of the Sea R.C. Church, Huguenot. Burial will be in Forest Green Cemetery, Morganville, N.J.

Services: Tuesday September 2, 2014 a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady Star of the Sea at ll:00 AM. Burial will follow at Forest Green Park Cemetery Marlboro, NJ

Visitation: Friends will be received on Sunday and Monday from 2-4 & 7-9

Cemetery: Forest Green Park Cemetery

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Our Lady Star of the Sea R.C.Church