Frank Joseph Szalwinski

Frank Joseph Szalwinski passed away on April 5, 2024, not far from his home in Wyncote. He is survived by his beloved wife, Beverly; his siblings Stephen (Joan-Ann), Freda Adiletto, Alice Szalwinska, and Joseph; his children Francis (“Jeff”) (Juliana), Alicia Davis (Brett), Matthew (Michelle), Mary Kate Nolen (Jim), Christopher, and Ann O’Brien (Shawn); his grandchildren William, Jonathan, Molly, Thomas, Joseph, Gwendolyn, Christina, Jimmy, Christian, Matthew, and Evelyn. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Helen, and his siblings, infant Alfred, Helen Tidd, and Tina Webb.

A proud Philadelphian, Frank was born in Fishtown, and was baptized at Saint Laurentius Parish and later attended Saint Laurentius Elementary School. His loving, boisterous, faithful family was Frank’s foundation, and he relished his role as one of the eldest children. When he graduated elementary school, he was slated to go to North Catholic High School, but North Catholic was at capacity, so he instead attended West Catholic High School and he represented the West Catholic “Burrs” with élan. He was a semi regular on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, where he went by his nom-de dance, “Frankie Randazzo.”

Frank began working shortly after graduating from West Catholic, and it was at his office that he met the love of his life, Beverly. As they married and started a family, he pursued his college degree attending night school after work at LaSalle University. He was only 3 credits away from graduating when his ever-expanding family made it too challenging to continue. Frank was an avid reader of fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, and magazines. Though not a historian by profession, his knowledge of U.S. and World History was without peer.

A dear and kind father, Frank’s children always had his unfailing love and support. From help with school projects, to coaching their baseball, softball and football teams, to teaching them how to drive, his children knew that they could always count on their dad. A man of great faith, Frank served his Church Community as a Coordinator of the Catholic Charities Appeal at Immaculate Conception Parish in Jenkintown, working with his and Beverly’s beloved friend Monsignor William Flatley, and later as a Eucharistic Minister at Saint James Parish in Elkins Park.

As a passionate fan of Philadelphia Sports, Frank loved cheering on his teams, and would welcome company while watching, though for big games he preferred to be in his own chair in front of his own tv to best provide the moral support the players needed from him. He greatly enjoyed the post-season runs by the Phillies these past two years, and delighted in the Eagles winning Super Bowl LVII. Most recently, he was enjoying watching his grandson’s college team, NC State, make a Cinderella run in March Madness.

When the weather cooperated, and even when it didn’t, Frank could be found in his garden, which he nurtured and tended to with pleasure. His veggies would be delivered to his children and grandchildren in brown paper sacks, or make their way into one of his delicious stews or soups. His garden was graced by a statue of Saint Francis of Assisi, welcoming the small animals, and Frank did indeed love seeing the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and butterflies enjoy his garden. His largesse did not, however, extend to groundhogs, with whom his annual battles were the stuff of legend.

It is impossible to overstate Frank’s love for his family. His wife of 61 years was his constant, and his children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was equally comfortable cheering them on at a baseball game, or clapping respectfully at a ballet recital (often offering to wear his “four-four”, since he was too large for a tutu). He would share news of his children and grandchildren eagerly, and was just so proud of all of them. He would read jokes in Reader’s Digest, and then call them all in turn to share, usually adding in unnecessary details to prolong the joy (or pain) of the joke. One could always tell when Dad was calling with a joke as you could hear the laughter in his voice as soon as you answered the phone.

Words can’t express how bereft we, his family, are at his loss. He was a most wonderful man, and we will miss him endlessly and love him ceaselessly, because we know that love never dies.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 11th, at Saint Luke the Evangelist in Glenside beginning at 9:30 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial will follow beginning at 10:30. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Services entrusted to the Joseph J. McGoldrick Funeral Home and condolences may be made at www.mcgoldrickfh.com