2022ObituariesFrank M. Parrino

Frank M. Parrino, 91, devoted husband, loving father, favorite brother and wonderful friend passed away peacefully with family surrounding him on November 19, 2022 in his home in Springfield, LA.   Frank leaves behind a legacy of passion for learning and interactive education.  With his quick wit and fondness for meeting and working with people he was loved by many.

Frank, the only son of Tony and Jennie Parrino along with his lovely sisters Katie, Savina, Theresa and Carol were born and raised in Independence, LA.   His parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles were a loving extended family of farmers.   After graduating from high school, he served 2 years in the US Army during the Korean conflict.  There he met many great people and experienced a very different world.  After his return he attended Southeastern University graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

Frank married Mamie and they raised 5 beautiful children: Jeannine, Tony, George, Kathryn and Maria.  Following his graduation they moved to Rockford, Illinois. To provide for them Frank became a teacher, speech therapist, Principal and eventually a Superintendent.  To further his career Frank obtained a Master’s degree in speech therapy under the tutelage of Mildred Berry, who was a pioneer in this field.  He also received a Doctor of Laws from St. Francis College. He worked a variety of part-time jobs as his family grew and became a strong believer in the value of hard work.

Frank ran for public office and became the Superintendent of Boone and Winnebago Counties.  Through nonpartisan work with various county, state and federal agencies he proudly obtained for Rockford record funding increases for the public schools and children of this region.  One of his special accomplishments was obtaining the deed to large Rockford Post Office building and converting it into a center for the Arts and Sciences which all of community could enjoy.  Frank grew to love politics and ran for the Illinois State Senate.  He so enjoyed meeting people and shaking hands.

He eventually moved back to Louisiana where he became the School Superintendent of Tangipahoa Parish Schools.  He had the daunting task of downsizing the school board which enabled them to set the stage for the passage of a much-needed sales tax in order to build new, and repair existing, school buildings for the children.

Frank married Therese some years later and a job transfer moved them to Oklahoma City.  Frank continued his career in education becoming the Superintendent of Schools in the Boley and Crooked Oak School Districts.  They eventually retired and moved back to Louisiana where, in his eighties he ran for and became a School Board member.

Along life’s pathway Frank developed many good friendships.  He learned to play the violin, speak three foreign languages, become a Master Gardener, develop his poker skills, ballroom dance, cook a delicious spaghetti, be a Hospice volunteer, and travel to new places with Terry.  He was a 4^th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and believed in his Catholic faith.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and was very proud of all of them.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Margaret Church or St Thomas Chapel sometime next year followed with a life celebration gathering and burial.  His family thanks and appreciates all the wonderful people who helped Frank lead a long, healthy, active and happy life.  Any donations in his memory can be made to St. Margaret Church (Chapel Renovation Fund), PO Box 100, Albany, LA 70711-0100 or Springfield Fire Recue, 32280 Terry St., Springfield, LA 70462.