Frank Iovino, Sr.

Frank Iovino’s legacy can be seen in many ways. Through family, which includes 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Through his masonry businesses, which have provided countless jobs to hard-working people in Western Pennsylvania, Las Vegas, Italy and beyond. And through the generosity he provided to his hometown of Pantuliano, Italy, where church bells ring out every day in a church he helped restore in a town that was devastated in World War II.

Francesco. Frank. Dad. Papa. Ciccio. Zio Frank. Mr. Frank. No matter the name, you knew him to be a man with an incredible work ethic, a larger-than-life personality and an even bigger heart.

Frank, who was born on March 6, 1935, left Italy from the Port of Naples in 1954 with his mother, brothers and sister on a ship called the Conte Bianca Mare. After arriving at Ellis Island, the family made its way to Pittsburgh to start a new life.

He soon met the love of his life, Mary Ann, in Rankin, Pa., and they were together until he passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 25, 2021, with family and friends by his side.

A few years after arriving in America, Frank became a U.S. citizen and started living out his American dream by starting his own construction company. His work can be seen all around the Pittsburgh area. In 1981, Frank, Mary Ann and their children relocated to Las Vegas, where he started a new company, prominently known as Frank Iovino and Sons Masonry. He worked up until the day he passed away.

Although he found much success in the U.S., his homeland was never far from his mind. He traveled to Italy many times to visit his relatives and friends.

As a young immigrant boy he vowed to go back to his hometown of Pantuliano and rebuild his town’s church. So in 1995, he and his wife made a permanent home in Pantuliano for 16 years and started a construction company there to build homes, apartments and commercial buildings. He provided work to many of the people, and was so proud of the remodeling of his church, San Giovanni Evangelista de Pantuliano, which now displays a plaque in his honor.

Frank and his wife returned to Las Vegas in 2012 to enjoy more time with family, especially his grandchildren. He still continued to be a huge part of his company every single day. He was a hard-working, loving man who never took no for an answer. He loved to live, laugh and have fun.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Ann; his children Dorothy (Michael), Francesca, Jonny (Michelle), Nicholas (Gina), Carmen (Michelle) and Tina; as well as his sister, Frances (Keith); and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Giovanni and Dorothy; brothers, Anthony, Salvatore and Carmen; sister, Philomena and sons Frank Jr. and Anthony.