Frank A. Contento, 85, passed away Sunday, January 31, 2010, after a 16 month battle with Merkel Cell Cancer. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Angelina Contento; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Martin (Louise) Contento, Daniel (Gloria) Contento, Sam (Louise) Contento; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Elwyn (Peter) Salamida and Mary (James) Murtari; his infant sister, Rose; and his brother-in-law, Roy Andrus. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Anne Contento; his three daughters, Marilyn Burns, Denise Contento (Joe Fahey) and Kathleen Contento (Doug Lubushkin); his grandchildren, Brian and Jamie Burns; his sole remaining sibling, Kathryn (Katy) Andrus; his sister-in-law, Margaret Fontana; his brother-in-law, Vito Longo; and many nieces and nephews. Frank loved to spend time with his family. After his family, golf was his passion. He also enjoyed following the New York sports teams - especially the Yankees and the Giants. His grandchildren were the light of his life. He shared his love of golf with Brian and his love of the Yankees with Jamie. Frank enlisted in the Navy in 1943. He served on the U.S.S. Bogue, part of the pioneer American anti-submarine hunter-killer group. While serving on the U.S.S. Bogue, the ship and crew received a Presidential Unit Citation for their service during World War II. Frank worked at IBM for many years and was a member of the Quarter Century Club. Frank's family would like to thank the staff from Wilson Hospital's 5th floor for their wonderful care this past week, the doctors and staff of Broome Oncology, especially his niece, LuAnn, and the rest of the chemotherapy nurses for their special care of "Uncle Frankie," and Dr. Rashid Haq and his staff at the United Health Services Radiation Oncology.
Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, 9:30 am from the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church at 10 am. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Tuesday from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Frank's memory may be made to University of Washington Merkel Cell Cancer Research, c/o Dr. Paul Ngheim, University of Washington, Dermatology, 815 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA  98109; or to Saint Francis Ministry, c/o Sr. Anisia Muthoni, St. Anthony of Padua Church, 306 Odell Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760.