Francesco "Frank" Gentile

Francesco "Frank" Gentile, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, entrepreneur, veteran, and proud American, passed away peacefully on Sunday July 26th at his home in Boca Raton, Florida, at the age of 91.

Born on November 19, 1934, in Rogliano, Italy, Frank was the son of Alessandro and Innocenza Gentile. Growing up in southern Italy, he dreamed of building a better future. At just 17 years old, he made the courageous journey to America, joining his siblings in Brooklyn, New York, in pursuit of the opportunities this country offered. It was a leap of faith that would shape not only his own life, but the lives of generations to come.

Soon after arriving in the United States, Frank proudly enlisted in the United States Army. His love for America never faded. He was deeply grateful for the opportunities this country gave him. There was no greater patriot. He loved America, believed in the American dream, and spent his life proving what hard work, determination, and perseverance could accomplish.

It was at his brother Carmine's wedding that Frank met the love of his life, Ernesta Faiella. When he introduced her to his mother, Innocenza immediately knew she was the one and made sure Frank knew it too. She could not have been more right. Frank and Ernesta married on April 30, 1960, beginning a beautiful marriage that lasted 66 years and became the foundation of a close knit family built on unconditional love, loyalty, and unwavering support for one another.

After completing his military service, Frank worked as an optician for Obrig Laboratories in New York before pursuing his dream of owning his own business. He founded Gentile Contact Lens Laboratory, where his dedication, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit quickly became evident. Frank was the inventor of the bifocal contact lens, an accomplishment that reflected both his innovation and passion for his profession.

Frank was never afraid of hard work. He routinely worked 12 to 15 hours a day, seven days a week, sacrificing countless hours so his family could have opportunities he never had. In 1977, he moved his family and business to Boca Raton, Florida, where he began the next chapter of his life. Alongside his successful contact lens laboratory, Frank expanded into real estate, working shoulder to shoulder with his four sons to build and manage properties throughout Boca Raton. He loved working with his boys and always believed the greatest legacy he could leave behind was one they built together.

While Frank's professional accomplishments were remarkable, they were never what defined him. His proudest accomplishment was his family.

He was the devoted husband of Ernesta Gentile and the proud father of four sons, John (Nanette), Frank (Buffy), Anthony (Kristen), and Mario (Nikki). He was a loving grandfather to Vanessa (Anthony), Samantha (Katie), Frankie (Christina), Brittany, Brooke (Chris), Jack, Megan, Casey, Chloe and Molly an adoring great grandfather to Lucia and Giulia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alessandro and Innocenza Gentile, his brothers Giuseppe, Carmine, John, Anthony "Tony," and his beloved sister Frances. He is survived by his brother Freddy.

To know Frank was to love him. He had an unforgettable smile, a magnetic personality, and a gift for making everyone around him feel special. Whether he had known you for years or had just met you moments before, he could make you laugh, make you smile, and somehow leave you feeling like family. He loved talking with people, sharing stories, giving advice, and ending conversations with three simple words that meant everything to those who heard them:

"I love you."

Frank loved life's simple pleasures. He loved sitting in the Florida sunshine. He loved working on his properties with his sons. He loved making people laugh. Most of all, he loved coming home to Ernesta's cooking and being surrounded by the people who meant the most to him.

Frank believed in honesty. He believed in working hard. He believed that your word meant something and that if you promised to do something, you did it. Above all else, he believed that family was everything. His children and grandchildren learned not only from what he said, but from the example he lived every single day.

He leaves behind far more than memories. He leaves behind a family united by his example, strengthened by his work ethic, inspired by his unwavering love, and forever grateful for the sacrifices he made to give them the life they have today. His smile, his laughter, his advice, his charm, and his unconditional love will continue to live on through every member of the Gentile family for generations to come.

If Frank could leave his family with one final piece of advice, it would be the words he lived by and repeated throughout his life:

"Keep the bond, always."

In lieu of flowers the family requests expressions of sympathy be made to Trustbridge Hospice.

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