Frank DiBartolo

Frank Anthony DiBartolo

June 28, 1944 – September 9, 2026

Frank Anthony DiBartolo, 82, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 9, 2026. Frank was born on June 28, 1944, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Staten Island, New York, the son of Fay and Joseph DiBartolo. He grew up in Richmond County alongside his brother and sister.

Frank was resourceful, and he carried that resourcefulness into the United States Navy, where he enlisted and served during the Vietnam War onboard as a chef. Feeding a crew that size is its own kind of art, and Frank had a gift for it. It was there that the cooking he'd grown up around became something of his own. In 1970, he married the love of his life, Antoinette. Together they raised four children — Joseph (1971), Palma (1972), Fayeanne (1978), and Maria (1979) — and in 1974, traded New York winters for South Florida sun. For most of his working life, Frank was a salesman, selling meat and seafood to restaurants and corporations up and down the East Coast. He could talk to anyone about anything, and always find a way to turn customers into friends. But it was at home that Frank's real talent showed. He was an incredible painter, avid fisherman, a chef who invented recipes no one could quite replicate, and a man who could take nothing and turn it into something. Whether it be scraps, leftovers, unlikely ingredients, a blank canvas, or just an ordinary Tuesday, Frank’s creativity always delivered. His family admired him for it, and learned from it. Whatever room he was in was more interesting because he was there.

Frank is survived by his sister, Mary Paccione; and his brother, James "Jimmy" DiBartolo; the love of Frank’s life, his wife of 56 years, Antoinette DiBartolo; their children, Joseph DiBartolo, Palma Ward DiBartolo, Fayeanne DiBartolo, and Maria DiBartolo; his grandchildren, Antoinette Ward, David Ward, Gianna DiBartolo, Frank DiBartolo, and Joseph DiBartolo Jr.; his great-grandson, Ezra. Frank leaves behind a family full of cooks, fisherman, storytellers, and love. He will be missed more than words can describe.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Frank's life on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Gary Panoch Funeral Home, 6140 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida. A viewing will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., with a memorial service beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Frank loved the ocean his whole life, and the Florida Keys most of all. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation in his memory to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Click here to donate to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Foundation: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/national-marine-sanctuary-foundation/florida-keys-national-m arine-sanctuary-foundation

• Professional arrangements are entrusted to:

• Gary Panoch Funeral Home, 6140 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33487, 561-997-8580

• www.gpanochfunerals.com

• easyonlinecremations.com