Frances Legato

A Pelham Gardens (Bronx) native, she graduated from Christopher Columbus Highschool before a brief career as an Administrative Assistant. In 1978 she relocated to Staten Island where she would meet her surviving husband (retired FDNY Lieutenant Anthony Legato Sr.) in 1981. Together, they enjoyed many healthy and contented years; December 5th would have been their 38th wedding anniversary.

She loved domesticity and could usually be found tending to her flowers and sharing the latest gossip with her neighbors. Her hobbies included gardening (she had an exceptional green thumb), listening to Frank Sinatra, interior decorating, reading, and enjoying sunny days at the beach. Her favorite treats were KFC and cake; it was the simple things that brought her joy.

She was born into a close-knit Italian-American household and learned from an early age the importance of nurturing the lifelong relationships she had with her extended family and close friends. She would fondly reminisce about her late parents, Pauline Nassisi (née Gentile) and Renaldo Nasissi. Frances was the loyal mother of John Borrillo Jr. and Nicole Pye, the honored grandmother of Anthony Legato III, the devoted step-grandmother of Kristen Sholar, and the step-great-grandmother of Emelia Sholar. She especially enjoyed a close bond with her loving sisters, Marie, Rita, and Denise as well as cherished cousins.

Among her finest qualities were her exquisite tastes, witty demeanor, endearing heart, and generous nature. She particularly reveled in being a grandmother; a title she wore extremely well. Through sickness and in health, she never lost the desire to live to her best capacity and present her best self. She was admired, loved, and she will be dearly missed by those who survive her.

A visitation for Frances will be held Tuesday, March 28, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home, 30 Nelson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10308. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Clare Church, 110 Nelson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10308. A committal service will occur Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 12:15 PM at Ocean View Cemetery, 3315 Amboy Road, Staten Island, NY 10306.