Advertisement

Frank Dante Stella

Advertisement

Frank Dante Stella Veteran

Birth
Jessup, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death
27 Sep 2010 (aged 91)
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, USA
Burial
Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Entrepreneur, supporter of education, healthcare, business, community, and church leader are all terms that could easily describe Frank D. Stella. He was the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of the F.D. Stella Products Company, Detroit, designers and distributors of food service and dining equipment. He was also the Chairman and CEO of Stella International, New York, a consulting joint venture and importing firm, Chairman of U.S. Coking and a member of the Board of Directors of Metropolitan Realty Corp., Director and Director Emeritus of Covansys.

An alumnus of the University of Detroit College of Commerce and Finance 1941, Frank devoted his life to the betterment of others. His biography reads like an encyclopedia of achievements, awards, and honors earned in serving the greater good.

Frank has served as a Board Member for many medical and educational institutions including the University of Detroit Mercy for over 24 years, Wayne Community College Foundation, Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital, Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center, Detroit Round Table, Detroit Urban League, Rehabilitation Institute Center for Independent Living, Vice Chairman of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan, and Vice Chairman of Grace Hospital, Detroit Medical Center Board of Directors, and Chairman of the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.

Frank held seats on the boards of numerous civic, business, and educational organizations, and received numerous awards and honors for his commitment and dedication. His political achievements include numerous chairs within the National Republican Committee as well as being an appointee of five presidents: Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush, and Bush.

He was decorated by the government of Italy three times and received its highest decoration "Grand Ufficiale". Frank also received several honorary degrees from many colleges here and in Italy.

He was the 1995 recipient of the George W. Romney Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism, and in 1997 he was selected as Michiganian of the Year by the Detroit News. Throughout his life Frank was the recipient of numerous awards from many civic and religious organizations.

Frank was drafted into the Army during WWII, attended Officer Candidate School in Miami Beach, Floria, and was honorably discharged in 1958 as a Major in the Army Air Force.

Amongst all of his vast accomplishments, his greatest achievement was his large and loving family. Married 53 years to the love of his life, Martha Yetzer, together they raised seven children. His family grew to include 17 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. A devout man of faith, his unwavering faith and love of God was the guiding force in his life and permeated all that he achieved. Throughout his 91 years his guiding principle was to make a difference in the lives of others - and that he did. He was loved and will be missed by many.

Beloved husband of the late Martha T; Dear father of Mary Anne, William J. (Dianne), Philip J. M.D. (Lynn), Marsha Lawrence, James C. (Lisa), Stephen P. (Anne), and the late Daniel F. (Kaethe). He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and brothers Henry and Joseph.

Family will receive friends at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Rd. (between Maple & Big Beaver), Wednesday 5-8p.m. and Thursday 2-8p.m. with a Rosary on Thursday at 7p.m.

Funeral Mass: Friday October 1, 2010 at 11a.m. at St. Scholastica Church, 8201 W. Outer Drive, Detroit. Visitation at church begins at 10a.m.

Memorials: Michigan Opera Theatre, P.I.M.E. Missionaries, Polycystic Kidney Foundation (PKD Foundation), Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, University of Detroit Mercy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Frank D. Stella, a prominent Detroit businessman and philanthropist, entered eternal life on September 27, 2010. He was 91 years old.

Born Jan. 21, 1919 in Jessup, Pennsylvania, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II, attended Officer Candidate School, and rose to the rank of major in the U.S. Air Force.

He was a graduate of the University of Detroit, and founder of the F.D. Stella Products Co., a restaurant supply house. He was also chairman of U.S. Coking Group LLC and a director of Metropolitan Realty Corp. and Covansys Corp. of Farmington Hills.

A long-time resident of Detroit's Rosedale Park neighborhood, he was a member and supporter of St. Scholastica Parish, Detroit.

Mr. Stella was an active civic booster and supporter of many educational, charitable and Church institutions. In addition, he was active in political affairs, with an influence that stretched to governors and presidents.

"Frank was just a terrific man, and he loved and was very supportive of St. Scholastica. He was very concerned about his religion, and about other people," said Fr. Michael Green, OSB, pastor of the northwest Detroit parish.

"Our long-time pastor, the late Fr. Livius Paoli, OSB, used to call him one of the ‘Three Musketeers,' because he and the late Tom Angott (who headed C.F. Burger Creamery), and Mel Larson (former legislator and state GOP chairman) always used to come to the early Saturday Mass, and then they would all go to breakfast together," Fr. Green continued.

"Frank was very faith-filled, and I always thought of him as a someone who was very close to God," he added.

His business interests also included leadership or advisory roles with the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, New Detroit Inc., the Economic Alliance for Michigan, Michigan Economic Growth Corp. and the Economic Club of Detroit.

He served on the boards of such institutions as the University of Detroit Mercy, Wayne Community College Foundation, Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital, Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center, Grace Hospital, Detroit Medical Center and Michigan Opera Theatre, among others.

He also was involved with Italian-American organizations and charities, and was decorated three times by the Italian government, including receiving its highest decoration, "Grand Ufficiale."

Mr. Stella was active in the Republican Party at the local, state and national levels, and received official appointments to serve his country, state and city by Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and both Presidents Bush, Governors William Milliken, James Blanchard and John Engler, and Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young.

Mr. Stella and his late wife, Martha (Yetzer) were married for 53 years. He is survived by four sons, William, Philip, James and Stephen; two daughters, Mary Anne Stella and Marsha Lawrence; 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; as well as two brothers, Henry and Joseph. One son, Daniel, predeceased him.

A funeral Mass was concelebrated last Friday, Oct. 1, by Cardinals Adam Maida and Edmund C. Szoka, along with about 20 priests, at St. Scholastica Church, Detroit. Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.

Memorials to PIME Missionaries, 17330 Quincy, Detroit 48221, or University of Detroit Mercy, Advancement Office, 4001 W. McNichols Road, Detroit 48221.
Entrepreneur, supporter of education, healthcare, business, community, and church leader are all terms that could easily describe Frank D. Stella. He was the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of the F.D. Stella Products Company, Detroit, designers and distributors of food service and dining equipment. He was also the Chairman and CEO of Stella International, New York, a consulting joint venture and importing firm, Chairman of U.S. Coking and a member of the Board of Directors of Metropolitan Realty Corp., Director and Director Emeritus of Covansys.

An alumnus of the University of Detroit College of Commerce and Finance 1941, Frank devoted his life to the betterment of others. His biography reads like an encyclopedia of achievements, awards, and honors earned in serving the greater good.

Frank has served as a Board Member for many medical and educational institutions including the University of Detroit Mercy for over 24 years, Wayne Community College Foundation, Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital, Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center, Detroit Round Table, Detroit Urban League, Rehabilitation Institute Center for Independent Living, Vice Chairman of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan, and Vice Chairman of Grace Hospital, Detroit Medical Center Board of Directors, and Chairman of the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.

Frank held seats on the boards of numerous civic, business, and educational organizations, and received numerous awards and honors for his commitment and dedication. His political achievements include numerous chairs within the National Republican Committee as well as being an appointee of five presidents: Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush, and Bush.

He was decorated by the government of Italy three times and received its highest decoration "Grand Ufficiale". Frank also received several honorary degrees from many colleges here and in Italy.

He was the 1995 recipient of the George W. Romney Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism, and in 1997 he was selected as Michiganian of the Year by the Detroit News. Throughout his life Frank was the recipient of numerous awards from many civic and religious organizations.

Frank was drafted into the Army during WWII, attended Officer Candidate School in Miami Beach, Floria, and was honorably discharged in 1958 as a Major in the Army Air Force.

Amongst all of his vast accomplishments, his greatest achievement was his large and loving family. Married 53 years to the love of his life, Martha Yetzer, together they raised seven children. His family grew to include 17 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. A devout man of faith, his unwavering faith and love of God was the guiding force in his life and permeated all that he achieved. Throughout his 91 years his guiding principle was to make a difference in the lives of others - and that he did. He was loved and will be missed by many.

Beloved husband of the late Martha T; Dear father of Mary Anne, William J. (Dianne), Philip J. M.D. (Lynn), Marsha Lawrence, James C. (Lisa), Stephen P. (Anne), and the late Daniel F. (Kaethe). He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and brothers Henry and Joseph.

Family will receive friends at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Rd. (between Maple & Big Beaver), Wednesday 5-8p.m. and Thursday 2-8p.m. with a Rosary on Thursday at 7p.m.

Funeral Mass: Friday October 1, 2010 at 11a.m. at St. Scholastica Church, 8201 W. Outer Drive, Detroit. Visitation at church begins at 10a.m.

Memorials: Michigan Opera Theatre, P.I.M.E. Missionaries, Polycystic Kidney Foundation (PKD Foundation), Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, University of Detroit Mercy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Frank D. Stella, a prominent Detroit businessman and philanthropist, entered eternal life on September 27, 2010. He was 91 years old.

Born Jan. 21, 1919 in Jessup, Pennsylvania, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II, attended Officer Candidate School, and rose to the rank of major in the U.S. Air Force.

He was a graduate of the University of Detroit, and founder of the F.D. Stella Products Co., a restaurant supply house. He was also chairman of U.S. Coking Group LLC and a director of Metropolitan Realty Corp. and Covansys Corp. of Farmington Hills.

A long-time resident of Detroit's Rosedale Park neighborhood, he was a member and supporter of St. Scholastica Parish, Detroit.

Mr. Stella was an active civic booster and supporter of many educational, charitable and Church institutions. In addition, he was active in political affairs, with an influence that stretched to governors and presidents.

"Frank was just a terrific man, and he loved and was very supportive of St. Scholastica. He was very concerned about his religion, and about other people," said Fr. Michael Green, OSB, pastor of the northwest Detroit parish.

"Our long-time pastor, the late Fr. Livius Paoli, OSB, used to call him one of the ‘Three Musketeers,' because he and the late Tom Angott (who headed C.F. Burger Creamery), and Mel Larson (former legislator and state GOP chairman) always used to come to the early Saturday Mass, and then they would all go to breakfast together," Fr. Green continued.

"Frank was very faith-filled, and I always thought of him as a someone who was very close to God," he added.

His business interests also included leadership or advisory roles with the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, New Detroit Inc., the Economic Alliance for Michigan, Michigan Economic Growth Corp. and the Economic Club of Detroit.

He served on the boards of such institutions as the University of Detroit Mercy, Wayne Community College Foundation, Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital, Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center, Grace Hospital, Detroit Medical Center and Michigan Opera Theatre, among others.

He also was involved with Italian-American organizations and charities, and was decorated three times by the Italian government, including receiving its highest decoration, "Grand Ufficiale."

Mr. Stella was active in the Republican Party at the local, state and national levels, and received official appointments to serve his country, state and city by Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and both Presidents Bush, Governors William Milliken, James Blanchard and John Engler, and Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young.

Mr. Stella and his late wife, Martha (Yetzer) were married for 53 years. He is survived by four sons, William, Philip, James and Stephen; two daughters, Mary Anne Stella and Marsha Lawrence; 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; as well as two brothers, Henry and Joseph. One son, Daniel, predeceased him.

A funeral Mass was concelebrated last Friday, Oct. 1, by Cardinals Adam Maida and Edmund C. Szoka, along with about 20 priests, at St. Scholastica Church, Detroit. Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.

Memorials to PIME Missionaries, 17330 Quincy, Detroit 48221, or University of Detroit Mercy, Advancement Office, 4001 W. McNichols Road, Detroit 48221.


Sponsored by Ancestry

Advertisement