Frank Biaggio Campisi Jr.

Frank Biaggio Campisi Jr., 91, passed away on Sunday, the 25th of July 2021, in Houston. Frank will be best remembered as a quintessential bon vivant, with a zest for life and a generous, caring spirit. He was a loving and loyal friend to many and dedicated much of his life to community and liturgical service.

Born on the 11th of July 1930, in Houston, Frank attended Holy Rosary Elementary, graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1948, and earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston in 1953. At the University of Houston, he held officer positons in the Alpha Kappa Pi and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternities. A devoted U of H Cougars fan, Frank was highly active and served as chair for the U of H Frontier Fiesta Parade, Homecoming Parade, and Interfraternity Council. He was also president of the U of H Pep Club.

After graduation, Frank served in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Korea and Japan from 1953 to 1955. On the 7th of April 1986, Frank was commissioned as an admiral of the Texas Navy under the administration of Texas Gov. Mark White.

Frank’s passion for community service was vast. It led him to serve on a number of boards, including the Human Rights Campaign, Houston AIDS Hospital, AIDS Foundation Houston, DIFFA Houston, The Assistance Fund, the Diana Foundation, Houston Black Tie, and Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums. He also served as vice chair of The Montrose Clinic, today known as Legacy Community Health. In 1996, he received Houston Black Tie’s Humanitarian Award, and in 2010, Legacy Community Health honored him with the Living Legacy Award.

Frank was a lifelong member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, even attending the laying of the cornerstone for the church in 1933 as a boy of just 3 years old. In 2008, his faith journey and devotion to the Catholic Church led to his investiture as a Papal Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem under the reign of Pope Benedict XVI.

As a native Houstonian, Frank’s contributions were also recognized by a number of elected officials. He received honors and acknowledgements from Pres. William J. Clinton; Sen. Ted Kennedy; Texas Govs. Dolph Briscoe, William P. Hobby, and Mark White; and Houston Mayors Fred Hofheinz, Kathryn Whitmire, and Annise Parker. Under the administration of Mayor Whitmire, the 28th of May 1989, was proclaimed Frank Campisi Day. Likewise, under Mayor Parker’s administration, the 21st of September 2010, was also proclaimed Frank Campisi Day. Frank’s passion for life and love of people offered him the opportunity to develop many notable and indelible relationships. As a high school student and Texas Junior Achievement representative, he was hosted by National Junior Achievement Chair S. Bayard Colgate and American screenwriter and author William “Bill” Bast. Years later, following Frank’s service in Korea, Bast introduced Frank to Elizabeth Taylor. Frank fondly recalled that her eyes were indeed lavender.

In later years, Frank had the privilege of enjoying the company of distinguished movie stars, including Jane Russell, Ann Miller, and Arlene Dahl. Frank remarked that Ms. Dahl was perhaps the most beautiful woman he had ever met. That is, until years later, when he developed a lasting friendship and bond with Martha Turner, one of the most special stars in his life.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Biaggio Campisi Sr. and Mary Musso Campisi; sister, Marie Antoinette Campisi Breaux; brother, Joseph Francis Campisi; and life partner, Eugene B. Voss. He is survived by his niece, Roxane Breaux Molaison, and her husband, Gary Molaison; nephew Michael Breaux; nephew Patrick Breaux and his wife, Gwen Caillouet Breaux; nephew David Eric Breaux and his wife, Tammy Daigle Breaux; nephew Frank Gregory Breaux and his wife, Shannon Bardwell Breaux; and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

Frank will be greatly missed by a number of special friends, including Parker Witt, Jay Andrew, Martha Turner, Glenn Bauguss, Chree Boydstun, Tripp Carter, Renita Cooksey, Timmy Martinez, Shannon Schrader, Charles Leigh, Kevin Pope, Matthew Janak and many others.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation from half-past five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Monday, the 2nd of August 2021, in the Grand Foyer & Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where recitation of the holy rosary will commence at seven o’clock in the evening.

A Requiem Mass in honor of Frank, will be offered at ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 3rd of August 2021, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3617 Milam Street in Houston with Fr. Juan Torres, OP, celebrating.

The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow, via escorted cortège, at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Frank’s honor may be directed to Legacy Community Health, 1415 California Street, Houston, TX 77006; St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77007; or Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3617 Milam Street, Houston, TX 77002.

“Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die.” – Mary Elizabeth Frye, 1932