Frank J. Vancheri
March 26, 1930 - February 23, 2022
Visitation: Sunday, March 6, 2022, 2-6 pm; Devlin Funeral Home, North Hills.
Service: Monday, March 7, 2022, 10 am; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, St. Teresa of Avila Church.
Frank J.Vancheri
Age 91 of Ross Twp.
Husband of the late Elizabeth “Betty” Vancheri (Ladygo); Loving father of Suzanne Culkin (Jack) of Pgh, Jane Sonntag (Steve) of VT, Paul Vancheri (Lynn) of Boston, Eleanor Walsh (Joseph) of AZ., and Frances Vancheri of KY. Proud grandfather of Sarah, Emily, John, Elizabeth, Lauren, Leslie, Matthew, Jessica, and Nicholas and is also a great-grandfather to 8 great grandchildren. Brother of the late Peter Vancheri (Rose) and Eleanor Vancheri (Dominic) Rocco. Frank also has 2 nieces and a nephew Cathy, Barbara and Peter Vancheri, and a cousin Christina Vancheri, all living in Pittsburgh. Frank was born and raised in Manchester on the North Side in the Italian section of the neighborhood where he lived from 1930 to 1945. He graduated in 1953 with a master’s degree in Chemistry from Duquesne University. Frank was a long-time active member of St Teresa parish in Perrysville.
A proud, crowning achievement for Frank during his 35-year career at Mine Safety Appliances (MSA), was his invention of a critical military product designed to neutralize chemical warfare agents. He held the ultimate responsibility of overseeing and operating the production facility for this product at an underground mine in Wampum PA, from 1975 – 1991 and produced nearly 10 million individual kits. Frank was an avid golfer where he picked up the game in 1951 and played for 70 years at North Park with his last round there just 2 months ago. He documented his score and number of putts for every hole on over 6000 rounds in his extensive notebook collection and aced 3 of the 4 par three holes. He made countless good friends that he played with routinely, with his two favorite long time buddies being Ralph and Tom. He left a family legacy by spending years researching the family history and produced a wonderful book full of narrative and pictures of the family history. He was an avid tomato gardener and produced award winning roses. Frank is also very proud to have known the cancer center staff at UPMC who took care of him over the last 3 years. In the end, he will go down as the greatest family father and good friend one could ever have!
Family and friends are welcome on Sunday, March 6, 2022 from 2-6 pm at Devlin Funeral
Home, 806 Perry Hwy., North Hills. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 7, 2022 at 10 am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, St. Teresa of Avila Church. Interment will follow at Christ Our Redeemer Cemetery.
I worked with Frank at MSA for several years during his visits to the Jacksonville, NC location. He trained me on how to make and test Decon kits. I learned so much from him and we always had good discussions about golf and basketball. Frank was a wonderful man – so helpful and easy to work with. It was always evident how much he loved his family and how proud he was of them. My thoughts and prayers are with Frank and his family.
Paul and family,
My condolences to you on the loss of your Dad.
Mike Naughton
Chapin, SC
Another distinguished Duquesne alumni and great American Patriot now rests in honored glory as God’s newest Angel. Frank was truly a first-class gentleman who always had a kind word for all and treated everyone with dignity and respect. In addition to his prodigious golfing skills (which most of the time he beat me like a drum!), Frank’s dedicated work in inventing a crucial product to neutralize CBR agents has prevented past and will prevent in the future the endless suffering associated with this horrific type of warfare. May God’s loving hand guide each family member and loved one as they long remember his sterling and everlasting legacy. To this great American, I salute your selfless service to our great nation. And thanks for all the great golfing memories at North Park! Rest in Peace my friend.
Rest in Peace Frank. I worked with Frank at MSA (Esmond, RI) for many years in the Chem Lab. Frank always had a big smile for everyone whenever he came up from Pittsburgh. I learned alot from Frank about the CBW testing that we did at MSA for the gov’t. He will be missed.
I played many rounds of golf with Frank over the 10+ years and found him a great golfer and a perfect gentleman. I will always cherish the Gold putter he gave me last Fall and fond memories of the time we spent on the course.
He will greatly missed. May his soul Rest In Peace in Heaven.
Fly free, Frank (pappy). I will miss seeing you every week, but I know you are at peace.
Prayers for strength and confront during this difficult time