Sending my sincerest condolences to the Petillo family.  Frankie will forever be a beautiful, smiling, happy and  sweet boy in my heart and memory. His light will always shine brightly  in this world. We are all  heartbroken but our pain is comforted by knowing he will forever rest in eternal glory and peace. A beautiful soul taken much too soon. 

My deepest sympathies in the passing of your son. He was loved by all and will be deeply missed. A life taken too soon💔

Frankie was such an amazing soul to share the stage with during our performances together. He would always shine a light on everyone on stage an off. ❤️❤️

Frankie was the sweetest and funniest person that I have ever known. He always knew how to make me laugh even if I was having a bad day. It was always a good day when I saw Frankie walking into French class. From painting our french squares to the daily class videos, you have given me memories that I will never forget.  Frankie you will be missed, love you forever ❤️. 

i love you so much frankie i’m going to miss our laughs durning gym, our random outburst of dancing, and doing plays with each other when we were younger. I remember to this day where you your mom and i all ran back stage and just having your mom helping both of us get into our other costume, but we were going fast enough well it’s probably because we were so distracted and just looking at each other and just start to laugh out of no where.   You will always have a special place in my heart and will always  be my forever best friend ❤️

This was just one of many great days shared with Frankie. We will always cherish these memories and hold you all close in our hearts the way Frankie did with everyone he knew.  Every person he came in contact with gained an instant bond with him. He is loved by everyone who knew him. 🤍

We are so sorry for your loss, our prayers are with your family during this extremely difficult time.

Sending my sincere condolences to the family of this handsome young man Frank Petillo Jr. gone too soon , I live in Dartmouth and heard the tragic news , and heartbroken for the family and Frank. I am a mother myself and I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful son :(. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏  Rest In Peace Frank Petillo Jr ❤️

From the moment I met Frankie, when the kids were in elementary school, he had a special light, I instantly adored him. We are all better people for knowing the kind hearted and charismatic Frankie. I know I will live my life kinder in memory of him. Rest peacefully. We love you! 

Frankie was one of the most genuine and kindest souls. He lit up a room with his positivity and his humor. I was so blessed to have known him and shared the stage with such a sweet kid. I miss him dearly, he was incredibly loved. Gone too soon, but I know we'll meet again. <3

So sorry to hear about Frank Jr. . Wish we could be there in person but please be assured that we are praying and thinking of the family at this time. It’s just not possible for us to get away.  Fran & Denny

For Lauren’s most recent birthday. We convinced Frankie to take a few pictures for the occasion 

When I first met Frankie…. I knew he would be a great addition to my life. He was always smiling and positive towards me. I met Frankie the first day of school and I already knew he would be a great and close friend to me. I miss you and love you Frankie. You will be missed and will be in my heart forever.

To Frankie’s family, extended family, friends and all who knew and loved him I am truly sorry for your loss . I never had the privilege of meeting Frankie but it certainly seemed like he was  someone I wished I would have known and had in my life.  In his passing he has made a tremendous impact on my life and I will forever remember him and the legacy he has left behind. God bless all of those whose life he had touched so deeply.  

Michelle 
Umass PD 

We love you.   We were blessed to call you our friend.  You will always be the shining star from heaven lighting the pathway for all those you loved and touched in your lifetime.   
   Rest in peace  Frankie. 

There are no right words for this unimaginable loss. 
I pray for the family, I hope everyone one of you finds strength in the fact that Frankie was such an amazing person.
May the peace that comes from all the wonderful memories you made with him comfort you now and forever.
Accept my sincerest condolence dear family of Frankie and find strength.


When I met Frankie almost 10 years ago, he was a sweet young boy who was just as in love with theatre as I was. We did a lot of shows together in the past, and even to this day, I am thankful to still work with a Petillo, as Darlene had costumed the last two shows I have music directed at Stafford Intermediate. There are no words to describe such a tragedy. I will always remember Frankie as a bright and loving light. Thank you for sharing your artistry with us.

To the Petillo and Gross family,
Sending you all my heartfelt condolence on your loss.  Frankie will forever be missed by all who knew him.  He truly was an outstanding young man. 
With warm hugs to all.

Natalie Ferreira


I loved watching you both grow up together .
So many wonderful school memories and family memories. 
I am really going to miss your smile 💔

Absolutely loved watching you guys laugh together .
Really going to miss you Frankie 
Please keep smiling down upon us .
I will see you everywhere w some little signs but mostly because you made so many people smile 😊.
Rip

Frankie was truly one of the greatest friends I’ve ever had. He was so talented and every time he performed he would blow me away and I am so grateful that I got to share the stage the with him. He was kind, funny and incredibly sweet and never failed to make me smile. My thoughts and prayers go to the Petillos. I love you all so very much. Frankie, thank you for being the greatest friend to me and Mitchell. We will hold you in our hearts forever. We love you so much. Rest easy our sweet Frankie🤍

Rest easy Frankie, you lit up every room you stepped foot in. I’ll never forget your smile and the joy you’ve brought in my life. I’ll love you forever.

My favorite memories from senior trip were with Frankie ❤️

Frankie taught me many things in the time that I had the privilege of knowing him, but one of the biggest was how to be myself. When I met him, I was closeted and had no idea who I was. He was the first person I came out to and the amount of comfort he gave me was immeasurable. He made me feel so loved and accepted and helped me gain the courage to come out to my family and friends. I could finally be myself and it was all thanks to Frankie. No matter what I needed, he was there to help however he could, from warm hugs, to pints of ben and jerry’s ice cream, to movie nights in his basement. 

Frankie, you showed me what love was supposed to feel like and I am endlessly grateful for that. Thank you❤️

-Cole

Thank you for making this such a special night for me. Whether you were holding an umbrella up for me the whole way as I walked in, or dancing with me until we were one of the last ones on the floor, you made my junior prom a night I’ll never forget. I’m so happy that when I asked you, you were so excited and adamant on going. Thank you for that night especially, but ofcourse all the other ones before and after that as well. I love you beyond belief Frankie ❤️❤️

A few words about someone I never thought I’d have to say goodbye to:

I have never met someone more dedicated, selfless and beautiful inside and out. No matter where Frankie was he always tried his best. It has been a pleasure to get to know him, grow with him, sing with him, run with him and love him everyday. He has touched so many hearts, especially mine. Spending time with Frankie was timeless, priceless and I wouldn’t change any of the memories we have made for the world, especially when we’re singing Chili Con Carne and you kept stepping on my feet on purpose during the salsa! Thank you for the uncontrollable laughter where we were bent over and on the floor and the ice cream dates to talk about how nervous we are about school. You were so nervous about making friends, but it’s remarkable how infectious your love is. Frankie was one of those special people who you could count on for anything. He always knew how to make me laugh even when I felt it was impossible. He managed to combat my mental blocks before racing. But what really makes Frankie special is the legacy he leaves. He was everyone’s friend not because he had to be, because he wanted to be. I and so many others will love him forever and ever. We are all better everyday because we knew Frankie. 

All my love and prayers to the family. Thank you for sharing your son with us. He is unlike anyone I have ever met and I can’t even imagine how proud you guys must be of him. He is amazing🤍😇

I love you until the end of time! See you in the sunset🤍
Abby 

A picture taken shortly after graduation.💛

I met Frankie in September and clicked very quickly. We shared many memories I will forever hold close to my heart. 

Many of our nights consisted of family dinners at our dining hall, playing Wii sports, pasta nights, Minecraft, movie nights, pushing me around in the moving bins, and many deep and heartfelt conversations that will forever play in my head. 

I will forever cherish the time I got with Frankie and the friendship he gave me. 

Always loving and missing you. 






i had the pleasure of performing with frankie throughout my high school years. he is an absolute light that will be greatly missed. frankie gave the best hugs and always made everyone smile.
miss you tons frankie
love always,
maddog🤍

While singing our senior song at our last spring concert, I broke down into tears on stage. I looked to Frankie, and watched as he started crying too. Without even a thought, Frankie grabbed me a gave me the most healing hug I’ve ever received. One of my favorite moments with my best friend.🤍🤍

Frankie was a huge reason why I continued to do theatre. I liked performing, but nothing was better than the people and Frankie was my favorite to be around. Whether it was during rehearsals or performances, I always went to find Frankie. He never failed to brighten my day and make me laugh. I remember, I think it was during either tuck or all shook up, I was having a particularly hard week and Frankie was constantly checking up on me backstage. He would ask me if I was ok to which I would respond and he would offer a hug or to go talk if I needed. I appreciated that so much. His hugs were the best. I always loved just being able to walk up to him and hold open my arms knowing I was going to get such a comforting hug. I’ll never forget him laughing as I told him he made me cry when he started singing during a run of all shook up. He was like “me? My part? Why?” And I responded with how I just knew our time doing theatre together and being in high school together was coming to a close and it made me so sad. Frankie is one of the best people I have ever known and I feel so incredibly grateful to have had him in my life. There are not many times where someone like him comes along who has the ability to touch the lives of everyone around him. I only wish we had more time. Sending so much love and all of my condolences.❤️

All my love,
Emma wasacz

Me and sweet Frankie sharing a smooch. He and I were gonna be best pals at Montclair :) I miss and love you so much man. 

I am a parent of a UMASS Dartmouth Junior and just wanted to express my sincerest condolences.  My daughter didn't know your son but the whole campus feels the pain of this tragedy.  In reading everyone comments your son was so loved and lived life to it's fullest.  He will forever be your angel....

After every show we did together, it became a tradition for Frankie to put his arm on top of my head in every picture 

The first time I met Frankie in person. We were un-lofting Alexa’s bed. It was a group effort but we got it done through team work, trial and error, and lots of giggles. 

Frankie with the infamous Bam Bam milkshake (pictured left).

Sitting on the couch together. My socks say “I’d hit that” and we thought it was reaaaal funny. I remember I was kinda scrunched up because I didn’t wanna invade Frankie’s personal space and he told me to put my legs on him so we could cuddle. 

I only had the pleasure of knowing Frankie for four months, but we quickly became friends. He had this way of making you feel like you’ve known him for years. He was kind, funny, smart, and so generous. This photo is from the last time I saw Frankie. We went to a diner and he ordered a  Bam Bam milkshake and French toast. When he ordered the milkshake, he said it to the waitress with such a straight face and we all giggled so hard. He let me finish his French toast when I didn’t like what I got. He made me laugh so hard that day. I was suppose to see Frankie this coming weekend and it hurts that I won’t be able to see his smile and hear is laugh again. I love you Frankie. Every time I laugh I will think of you. Every beautiful flower reminds me of you. I miss you. I love you.  

This was Frankie and I getting ready to go to winter formal together. My mom told us to pose, and of course neither of us posed seriously. He never failed to make me laugh❤️❤️

OBITUARY

Frank Anthony Petillo Jr.

21 November, 2003 – 6 April, 2023

Thos. L. Shinn Funeral Home

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