Obituary of Francis C. Congelo

Francis C. Congelo

Ilion - Francis C. Congelo, 93, of Ilion passed away Saturday, July 29, 2023 in The Grand, Ilion with his family by his side.

He was born in Frankfort, New York on April 3, 1930, the son of the late Carl Congelo and Rose Terranover Migliore. Following his father’s early death, he was raised by his stepfather, Carl “Bozzy” and his mother, Rose Migliore and he attended Frankfort schools. He was married to Katherine Calenda in New York Mills and later had their marriage blest in St. Mary’s Church, Frankfort. Fran served our country with the US Air Force Military Police during the Korean Conflict as a Staff Sergeant and was Honorably Discharged on January 8, 1960. He later entered the US Army Reserve and served as a Staff Sergeant for 30 years. Fran was at one time employed by Union Fork and Hoe, later as Supervisor for Frankfort Schuyler Central Schools, the Village of Frankfort and as a self-employed plumber and the owner and operator of Congelo's Plumbing, Ilion. He was a devoted Communicant of Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church and a member of its Amen Choir, the VFW Post 502 and served as a Firefighter for Frankfort Fire Department for over 40 years. Fran was dedicated to his customers, always ready to help in a moments notice. His customers were always referred to as family.   

Francis is survived by his beloved wife, Katherine “My Katie” Congelo of Ilion; three sons, James Congelo of Hinckley Lake, Mark Congelo of Reno, NV and Francis Congelo, Jr. of Buffalo; one daughter, Yolanda Congelo of Frankfort, one sister, Gloria Lombardo of Frankfort;  four grandchildren, Melissa, Jennifer, Chase and Tanya; five great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by two grandsons, James and Christopher; his step father, Carl Bozzy Migliore; brother and sister in law, Anthony and Carmella Congelo; sister and brother in law, Carol and Gene Girantino; father in law and mother in law, Lucy and Sam Chippoletti; his in laws, Savey Lombardo, and Dolores Calenda and a special nephew, Scott Streeter.

His funeral will be held Saturday morning at 9:45 from the V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc. 203 Second Avenue, Frankfort and at 10:30 in Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Paul Catena, Pastor. Entombment will be in Mt Olivet Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday, August 3 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM and Friday, August 4 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home Inc. 203 Second Ave., Frankfort. Members of the Frankfort Fire Department will meet Friday evening at 5:00 for services.  

Fran’s family would like to express their sincerest appreciation to his niece, Dina Grippe for the wonderful care and kindness shown to him and Katie over the years.

Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Francis’s online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com