Alfonzo Frangello

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Remembered for decades of volunteer work on behalf of veterans, Alfonzo Frangello, 88, died Monday at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Brooklyn.

He was born in Brooklyn, grew up in Coney Island, and attended Lincoln High School. He lived most of his life in Sheepshead Bay, and moved to Arden Heights in 2005.

Mr. Frangello served as a U.S. Army medic during World War II. He worked for the city's Parks Department as a mechanic-shop supervisor for 20 years, and went to school at night to study chiropractic medicine, which he practiced for about a decade in his home office, on evenings and weekends, his family said.

He retired in the early 1970s, and devoted the rest of his life to the cause of disabled and elderly veterans. "He was very charitable, and dedicated his spare time to working for veterans," said his daughter, Teresa Diario. "He volunteered at the VA Hospital in Brooklyn, and raised funds to purchase vehicles and start a van service for veterans who were unable to travel there on their own for checkups and other services."

Mr. Frangello served as volunteer transportation coordinator at the hospital, and also as a lector at Sunday mass there, for 30 years, until he was 84 years old.

He was an active member of local chapters of the American Legion, Kiwanis International, Knights of Columbus, and Masonic and Moose lodges.

"He was very sociable, could hold a conversation with just about anyone, and loved to address conventions held by his organizations," said his daughter, Barbara Cato.

In addition to his daughters Teresa and Barbara, he is survived by his wife of 65 years, the former Loretta Verdoliva; his daughters Marie VanNostrand and Loretta Mattera; his brother, Michael; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Friday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, with a mass at 10 a.m. at Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, both Tottenville, followed by emtombment in Woodbridge Memorial Gardens, Woodbridge, N.J.

Services: Our Lady Help of Christian's RC Church Friday, September 2,2011 10:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Wednesday, August 31,2011 & Thursday, September 1,2011 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Woodbridge Memorial Gardens

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Our Lady Help of Christians R.C.Church