It is with great sadness that the family of Francesco (Frank) Chiappetta announced his sudden passing on January 30, 2023, shortly before his 90th birthday.
He was born February 15, 1933, in the small town of San Fili, Italy, but called Rye, N.Y. his home for over 54 years. He was the son of Francesco and Maria Chiappetta.
A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, he was devoted to his wife, Raffaela, who passed away on November 6, 2022. “Fra and Ra” were married on December 1, 1956. Their love story began after World War II, nearly 80 years ago, when they met in elementary school. They were never apart after that. They had seven children, five boys and two girls, and from those children came 14 grandchildren.
Mr. Chiappetta began his career as a cabinetmaker alongside his father, shortly after he emigrated to the United States at the age of 17. Over time, he turned his early woodworking skills into a successful carpentry and contracting business, Frank Chiappetta & Sons, Inc., which thrived for more than half a century in Rye. The clocktower atop City Hall in Rye is one of his legacies, as are parts of Resurrection Church. In addition to numerous residential and commercial projects, he worked on many of the overpasses in Westchester County.
Some of Frank’s customers loved his professionalism and craftsmanship so much that they would often call him with the simplest of jobs, just to ensure they kept in contact, said his family.
Over and above his professional pursuits, Frank Chiappetta was a devoted family man who adored his children and grandchildren. He kept mementos from every occasion from elementary school plays to softball games to weddings. His filing cabinet was full of cherished memories. Playing cards with his grown children and their spouses became a Friday night ritual.
Like his father, he loved watching soccer matches and Juventus, the professional club in Turin, Italy, was his favorite team, too. He was also a longtime, founding member of the San Fili Fraternity Club. He loved spending time with his friends in Naples, Florida, which he hadn’t been able to do in the past few years.
Frank Chiappetta is survived by his large and loving family: sons Frank Chiappetta of Rye, Mario (Lisa) Chiappetta of Mamaroneck, and Marco (Adrienne) Chiappetta of Norwalk, Conn., daughters Maria (Vincent) O’Brien of Mount Pleasant, N.Y., and Serina Pecora (Joe) of Rye; daughter in-law Nanette Chiappetta; grandsons: Stephen O’Brien, Nicholas Chiappetta, Danny Chiappetta, Joey, Robert, Christopher, and Michael Pecora and granddaughters: Emma (Zeb) and Nina Chiappetta, Courtney and Kayla O’Brien, and Isabella and Sophia Chiappetta; as well as his brother, Anthony Chiappetta, his sister Sylvana Lato, and his brother-in-law, Pietro Parrinello.
In addition to his beloved wife Raffaela Chiappetta, he was predeceased by his sons, John Chiappetta of North Salem, N.Y. and Danny Chiappetta of Rye; his grandson, John Chiappetta Jr. of North Salem, and his sister, Gina Mazzuca. parents of Corona, N.Y.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated February 2 at Church of the Resurrection. He was buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Rye Brook.
Donations in Frank Chiappetta’s memory may be made to the Port Chester-Rye- Rye Brook EMS, 417 Ellendale Avenue, Port Chester, NY 10573
