STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Frank W. Scarangello Sr., 89, of Great Kills, president-emeritus and CEO of Scaran Heating and Air Conditioning, Pleasant Plains, who built his father's Depression-era ice and coal business into one of the tri-state area's largest heating, oil and energy service companies, died Saturday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze.
Born in the Bronx, his family moved to Tottenville when he was four years old. He graduated from Tottenville High School in 1942, enlisted in the U.S. Army-Air Force and became a lieutenant and B-24 bomber pilot. He served until 1944.
After his military service, he enrolled in Columbia University on the GI Bill to study pharmacy, but he dropped out in 1946 to help his father, Vito, in the ice and coal business that he founded during the Depression.
He met his future wife, Mary Elizabeth (Bunny) Rabbitt on a blind date; they were married in 1947 and settled in Great Kills.
While he was working with his father, he attended Newark College of Engineering and the Lincoln Technical Institute, graduating with a certificate in technical engineering in 1958.
Eventually Mr. Scarangello took over the family business in 1964. Today, Scaran specializes in heating, air conditioning and plumbing projects, in addition to the sale of electricity, natural gas and fuel oil.
LOOKED AHEAD
His sons, Frank Jr. and Thomas, who today serve as Scaran's president and vice-president, respectively, said the key to their father's success was "always looking to the future and diversifying the business accordingly."
Mr. Scarangello told the Advance in a 2008 interview that he never wanted his sons to go into the business with him "unless it was what they wanted to do."
Each day, the three usually shared breakfast and lunch together in the office. His sons said Mr. Scarangello was in the office as recently as Monday.
Both sons said their dad was "their best role model."
"Dad was the kind of guy who believed in teaching by example," said Thomas. "He was there in the office every day, when a lot of guys his age would be home relaxing or on the golf course. He taught us that nothing comes easy; that you have to work hard, put in the hours and pay your dues to be successful."
"Dad also taught us the importance of giving back to the community," added Frank Jr. "He taught us that if you're going to make a living serving the people in the community, you have an obligation to help make your community a better place to live and work."
They said their father practiced what he preached.
Mr. Scarangello had served as a board member of Staten Island University Hospital since 1967.
"Frank always took his role on the board very seriously, always saw the big picture, and always got his point across with humor," said SIUH CEO Anthony Ferrari.
He was also a long-time member of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and served as president from 1983 to 1985.
"Frank was a hard- working business owner and family man who contributed greatly to the Staten Island community," said Linda Baran, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce.
"I will remember Frank as an outstanding leader, who was passionate about what he did, and didn't hesitate to share advice to help others. He was a wonderful man, with a great sense of humor and a big smile. He will be sorely missed."
Mr. Scarangello was also a long-time member and past-president of the South Shore Lions Club, and also served on the board of Eger Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Egbertville.
He was a founding member of the South Shore Band, in which he played the trombone, and a founding member of the South Shore Swim Club.
Mr. Scarangello was the recipient of numerous community leadership awards, including the Louis Miller Small Business Leadership Award in 2001.
He was a parishioner of St. Clare's R.C. Church in Great Kills, where he served as an usher for Sunday mass since 1956.
During the summers, Mr. Scarangello enjoyed relaxing on the beach with his family at Long Beach Island, N.J.
His wife of 53 years, the former Mary Elizabeth Rabbit, died in 2003. A daughter, Leslie Lenning, died in 2002.
In addition to his sons, Thomas and Frank Jr., Mr. Scarangello is survived by two daughters, Lisbeth Brandefine and Penelope Scarangello; three brothers, Gregory, Anthony and William Scarangello; 13 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be Wednesday from the Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home, Great Kills, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in St. Clare's Church. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.
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