Frank 'Sonny' DeMonte Dies
BY LOUIS J. DE MONTE

Frank "Sonny" DeMonte died Thursday, August 14. He was 85 years old.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Tina; his two children, Louis and Frances; their spouses, Anthony and Vicky; his grandchildren, Louis Christopher, Louis Charles, Frank, Tina, Richard and Kimberly; his sister, Gloria D'Amico, his brothers-in-law, Nick and Steve Castoria, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sonny was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1923, the second son and fifth child of Louis and Antoinette DeMonte.

Sonny was born into hard times and humble beginnings, but surrounded by a huge family that worked together to create the DeMonte legacy. It was those hard times and humble beginnings built on love and respect that molded the rest of his life, determined that he would make it better for his family.

In the mid 1940s, most of Sonny's immediate family migrated from Hartford to New York and he followed a few years later, coming to work for a construction company based in Corona. Through a web of family ties too complicated to discuss here, Sonny met his bride, Tina, who he married on Sept. 18, 1948. They would have been celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary next month.

He continued to work in construction and mastered the trade of carpentry, eventually starting his own company, F & R Construction, which he successfully ran for more than 30 years. In his retirement years, in addition to enjoying time with his wife, grandchildren, wining and dining with family and friends, traveling, golfing, and frequent trips to Atlantic City, he continued working tirelessly side by side with his son in their restaurant, "Grandpa Frank's", in Long Island City.

Sonny was the consummate teacher to Louis and Fran and all

grandchildren. He was their mentor, their confidant, their biggest critic and their biggest fan. He wasn't their scholastic teacher, but rather

his taught about life in general by his example. He drilled into his children and grandchildren the creed that he lived by, "If you give respect, you will always be respected, and if you don't get respect in return, at least you know you did the right thing." Sonny was a great friend to all. His generosity was only surpassed only by his love for life and his family. He was the sport of sports; a man's man in every sense of the word. Always ready to help. Always ready to go. Always ready to please. Never thinking of himself but always thinking what was best for everyone else. He especially loved the holiday seasons and would make endless

trips around the city making sure his family had the best of everything for the holiday celebration, never mentioning or complaining about cost or the work involved in preparation. The more the merrier. There was always room for more at Sonny's

table. He wasn't about extravagance, but he always turned a little into a lot. So unselfish a man, he would rather share a bottle of jug wine with his friends than drink the best bottle of wine money could buy by himself. This was Sonny.

If there is a bright spot in his passing it is that he lived a long, fruitful life to the fullest with Tina and his family. Life going forward will be about the fond memories of the great times he shared with those he loved. This is what he would want for all of us. He would not want us to grieve but enjoy life as he did; with a zest for living.

He would want us to continue his legacy: Devoted Husband…Loving and Supportive Father…Tireless Grandfather…Great Friend to Us All!

Donations in his memory will be gratefully accepted by:

St. Francis Hospital Developmental Office

In Memory of Frank "Sonny" DeMonte

c/o Dr. Thomas Nicosia 100 Port Washington Blvd. Roslyn, New York 11576