Frank Ciccanti

Frank Luigi Ciccanti, 76, of Jefferson Hills died peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on September 11, 2024, after he lost his grueling battle with pancreatic cancer, which was diagnosed in October 2023. 

Frank was born July 14, 1948, in Ascoli Piceno Marche and raised in Settecerri (“7 Trees”), Italy, where he lived about 13 years before traveling to Clairton, PA in the United States. He attended and graduated from West Mifflin South High School then on to two years at Community College to become an accountant. He worked several jobs simultaneously, including mill and restaurant jobs. He married Theresa Mannarino on April 27, 1974 (with whom he just celebrated 50 years married). They had three children: Frank (“Junior”), Michael, and Christopher, and they resided in Jefferson Hills while Frank’s path led him to co-own a restaurant on Banksville Road with long-time partner, Mike Ciccone. After many years at this restaurant, Frank parted ways to build his own business ~ Ciccanti Ristorante, which officially opened on October 31, 1987.

He loved the restaurant business and created family dishes inspired and brought over from the Olde Country. His family business is thriving today despite many historical, rare obstacles, including a collapsed parking lot, construction of the Mon Valley Expressway, Covid 19, film-making (The Warrior), labor shortages, and health battles, including many heart surgeries, brain bleed, and cancer. 

Frank grew up in poverty and hunger and wanted nothing more than to share his love of food and family around the table. He was often found smiling, laughing, joking, and entertaining customers and friends with his special and quite detailed stories from his prosperous lifetime. Frank had many sides to him, and anyone who knew him knew he was and is a true legend. Saying he will be missed is an understatement, but more so he will be remembered, talked about, and loved for generations to come.

Frank had many favorite pastimes, including numbers (he was a “living calculator” he would proudly announce), wood-working, cooking, traveling, watching old western television shows, football, talking with people in his business, and most of all, being with family. He was one of the hardest working humans who ever existed, and he taught so many people the workings of a business, life lessons, and how to just be your best – because he expected nothing less.

Frank is a member of the St. Thomas A’ Becket Catholic Church - Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish. He is survived by his precious wife, Theresa Ciccanti, sons, Frank (Natalie), Michael (Britny), and Christopher Ciccanti, sister Domenica Alfonsi, cousins, and grandchildren Tyler Gapinski, Zachary, Nico, Lilah, Norina, and Santino Ciccanti. Frank was no doubt the most loving pappy/grandpa in the world.  He is preceded in death by his parents Felicia and Angelo Ciccanti and sisters Rosa and Norina.

Visitation for Frank will be held in the Stephen D. Slater Funeral Home 1701 Route 51 Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania (412-384-0350) www.stephendslater.com on Monday, September 16th, 2024, and Tuesday, September 17th, 2024, from 4 – 9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish, St. Thomas A’ Becket Catholic Church on Wednesday, September 18th 2024, at 10 AM. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT THE CHURCH. Burial will follow in St. Clare Cemetery, Clairton, Pennsylvania.

Frank is now finally taking some time off to spend time with the family he has missed for so long ~ until we all meet again.