Francis John Joseph Scalzi
1944-2025
Francis John Joseph “Frank” Scalzi, passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer and heart disease.
The oldest of three children, he was born to Agnes and Samuel Scalzi on October 1, 1944, in Pittsburgh, Pa. and grew up ‘on base’ in Fort Howard, Md., where his father was the first male dietitian for the Veterans Administration.
He graduated from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. with a Master’s Degree and served in the Army during Vietnam, Desert Shield, and in the Army Reserves, eventually attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Frank joined the Veterans Administration and served as Head of Library Services until being promoted to Assistant to the Chief of Staff. . . though he never truly gave up being a librarian and surrounded himself with as many books as was humanly possible.
He was a lifelong learner with a passion for history, especially American Military history, American Southwestern history, and the Civil War, and would happily discuss historical events with anyone who stood still long enough to listen. He had a sharp wit and an unerring ability to produce the best (worst) puns imaginable.
Frank is survived by his loving wife, Ann (nee Wilson), daughter Francesca (David), grandson Cillian, sister Cheryl (Bill) Fox, and innumerable in-laws, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Samuel.
Funeral Services were held at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Shawnee Chapel, where the family received friends for 2 hours prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pastor Terri Weis-Haithcock officiated. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery immediately followed the service at the funeral home.
Rather than flowers, please send donations to your local public library and support your local bookstores, which will be hurting significantly with Frank’s passing.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
