Frank Delano Spinazzola

Frank Delano Spinazzola, 91 years of age, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2024, in the comfort of his home in Houston, Texas.

Frank was born on May 27, 1933, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, to parents Michael and Fannie (Capara) Spinazzola. He graduated from Altoona High School in 1951. He attended the Penn State Altoona Campus and then completed his extension course of study in Mechanical and Industrial Drafting at the Allied Institute of Technology. 

Frank and his wife, Leticia Guillen, were pen pals for two years before marrying on March 31, 1968, at the Templo Expiatorio del Santísimo Sacramento in Guadalajara, Mexico. Their marriage, which lasted 56 years, was a testament to their deep love and commitment. 

The family moved to Houston in 1974 during the city’s oil boom era. Frank’s career as head machinist, where he did contract work with NASA Johnson Space Center, was a source of great pride for him. 

He was not a man of many words, but his actions were always well thought out. His love was expressed in quiet, thoughtful gestures that spoke volumes to those who knew him. He found contentment in working behind the scenes, never seeking the spotlight. He was the steady hand that guided so much in the lives of those he cared about. He raised his children with values of utmost importance: a good work ethic, respect for elders, resilience, and the principle of always living within one's means. 

He found happiness in his passion for his favorite hobbies, including tending to his garden, where he cultivated a variety of vegetables and fruit trees. When not in the garden, he could be found lost in a good book, especially those that explored WWII and historical figures. He enjoyed classic films that celebrated Italian culture and heritage, and old westerns, but his favorite pastime was watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Frank was preceded in death by his father, Michael G. Spinazzola, and his mother, Fannie (Capara) Spinazzola. He is survived by his wife, Leticia Spinazzola of Houston, Texas; his daughters, Christina Jordan of Nassau Bay, TX; Gina Heath of Downingtown, PA; and Nancy Spinazzola of Magnolia, TX; sons-in-law; grandchildren, Mark Jordan, Brianna Jordan, Aiden Heath, and Eric Jordan; sister, Dolly Woods of Harrisburg, PA; and several nieces and nephews. 

A private service will be held for the immediate family.