Submitted by: Dan Rich
May 21, 1910 - April 4, 2006
Frank Violi, 95, was born in Plati, Italy, to Antonio and Marianna (Barbaro) Violi. He immigrated to the United States in 1933. On February 8, 1939, Frank became a United States citizen. The next day, February 9, 1939, he married the love of his life, Catherine “Kitty” Arata, in St. Monica Catholic Church, Mishawaka, Indiana.
As a young boy, Frank had been apprenticed as a shoemaker in Plati, Italy. He served in the Italian Army at the age of eighteen, where he was in the Quartermaster Corps. After his military service, Frank boarded a ship in Naples, Italy, bound for New York. He opened Violi Shoe Store on the northside of Mishawaka in 1934, in spite of his minimal English skills. Several years later, as his shoe business prospered, his younger brother, Sam Violi, arrived in America and joined his brother in business. Frank re-christened his store, Violi Brothers Shoes, which is still in operation after over 75 years.
During World War II, Frank served his country in the U.S. Army. As a member of St. Monica Church, Frank was active for years in the St. Vincent DePaul Society, Knights of Columbus, and the Ushers Club. Over the years, Frank and Kitty donated to their church a statue of St. Christopher and one of the beveled glass doors. Following the Arata family's lead of donating the Princess Mishawaka sculpture to the City of Mishawaka, Frank convinced his club of Santa Maria di Loretto to donate the sculpture of Christopher Columbus to the City of Mishawaka. Frank was on the board of directors of Pioneer Federal Savings and Loan, and he belonged to the Mishawaka Exchange Club. In addition, the Exchange Club awarded Frank its Book of Golden Deeds. Frank served as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and was a Red Coat volunteer at Saint Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka. He was also a member of the advisory board of the Salvation Army. Frank's expertise in orthopedic shoe repair benefited children sponsored by the Shrine Club. He repaired children's shoes, but never charged them for his orthopedic shoe repair work.
Frank served on the Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission for over 25 years. Throughout the years, local political parties approached him about running for the mayor of Mishawaka, an offer he repeatedly declined out of respect for his customer's diverse political views. Governor Evah Bayh acknowledged Frank's outstanding commitment to his community and the children of Indiana by making Frank a Sagamore of the Wabash of Indiana. Former Mishawaka Mayor Robert Beutter declared “Frank Violi Day” in Mishawaka on August 23, 1990. At a testimonial dinner, Frank was given the Key to the City of Mishawaka. Business associates, family and friends honored Frank that day for his exemplary commitment to the community.
Throughout the many accolades and honors Frank received during his life, he remained a man of integrity and kind-heartedness, extending welcome and hospitality to all who crossed his path. As a master Italian gardner, and one who advocated the benefits of his chickens' fresh eggs, Frank delighted in sharing his garden fresh vegetables and eggs with family and friends.
Frank Violi passed away early Tuesday morning, April 4, 2006. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kitty, in 2002, and by a brother, Domenico, and sisters, Bettina and Anna. Frank is survived by his loving family: daughter, Mary Anna Violi Dimitrakopoulos; son, Frank A. Violi (Kelley); grandchildren, Anjelica Dimitrakopoulos, Lauren Violi and Daniel Violi; brother, Sam Violi (Julia); sister, Maria Marando; sisters-in-law, Marietta Violi, Adelaide Caleal (Richard), Agnes Laux, Wilma Arata; brothers-in-law, James A. Arata (Jane), Justin E. “Barney” Arata (Patti); 10 Violi and 50 Arata nieces and nephews; and cousins in the United States and Italy.
Frank's family would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Alterra Sterling House who brightened our father's last two-plus years of life with outstanding, nurturing care. Our thanks goes also to the Hospice of St. Joseph County for the compassionate care given our father during the last months of his life.
Visitation will be on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. in Thallemer, Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 West Third Street, Mishawaka, where a Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will also be on Saturday from 10 to 11:00 a.m. in St. Monica Catholic Church, 222 West Mishawaka Ave., Mishawaka. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the church with Rev. Jeffery Largent officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Mishawaka.
Frank's children request that donations in his memory be made to St. Monica Church.