Submitted by: Dan Rich

Frank Bilello

Jan. 26, 1920 - Aug. 16, 2005

South Bend Tribune 8/18/2005

Francesco "Frankie" Bilello, son of Niclo and Maddalena (Bavetta) Bilello, passed away of natural causes at the age of 85 in Healthwin Specialized Care. He was the last survivor of 17 siblings born in Marsala, Sicily.

Frankie immigrated to South Bend in 1934 and attended Central High School. He fell in love with and married Eugenia Trimboli in 1939. Frankie and Jenny owned and operated a grocery store in 1956. Frankie and Jenny opened Frankie's at 1003 Notre Dame Avenue. Frankie was an innovator. He developed the pizza delivery using Cushman motorized delivery carts. He was famous for his pasta fagioli. Frankie also owned and operated Paisno, State Lunch, The Stage Coach, and Bilello's from which he retired in 1994 to Golden Valley, AZ, at the age of 75. Frankie loved to cook, entertain and play golf. He was a member of the Morris Park Country Club where he shot two holes-in-one.

Frankie was blessed with the love of three wonderful women, Eugenia Trimboli, Joan Harmon and Mary Richardt. He is survived by a son, Nicholas (Pat) R. Bilello of South Bend; daughter, Eugenia Bilello of Baton Rouge, LA; six grandchildren, Frank Bilello of Bend, Ore., Antonio Bilello of Portland, Ore., Michale Bilello of South Bend, IN, Antonio N. Bachaleda of Baton Rouge, LA, Eugenia T. Bachaleda of New York and Steven J. Bachaleda of Baton Rouge, LA; and three great-grandchildren. Our deepest gratitude and appreciation to Healthwin and the wonderful staff for their kindness to allow him to be "his own man." In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Darden Park at Healthwin.

Arrangements have been entrusted with the McGann Funeral Home, where visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Aug. 18, and a Rosary will be held at 6 p.m. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19, in St. Pius X Church, where visitation will also be held one hour prior to services.

Editor: His wife Eugenia died 6-20-1966 in South Bend.