Thank you for visiting this memorial website created to share the special memories we have of Frank Stitt. Please take some time to look around, and feel welcome to add tributes, comments, post messages, prayers, stories, photos, videos, and other items of love and affection.
This website is continuously updated as each one of us adds to it, so we invite you to check back frequently.
Tributes
Leave a tributeI have been having issues with my back and have been going to physical therapy. The girls there remember you and asked about you. I told them you had passed. They were sorry to here that. They told me about how you would tell your stories and bring them elephant ears from Central Park. You always did have a way with the ladies. I know you didn't realize what an impression you left on everyone that met you. I know you did on myself and my family. We all miss you dearly.
We miss having holidays and birthdays together. I do get a smile on my face every time I tell one of the many stories you have told us about your incredible life. You were an amazing man and a great friend.
We went to Central Park Restaurant for dinner tonight. Of course we had your little divers helmet that is kept at the restaurant with us at the table. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at your favorite place. Every one there had a fond memory to tell of the times they were with you.
We all love you Frank.
Respectfully,
Pam and John Hughes
Frank was fun to be with, and had lots of interests. As a smart, savy collector, his home was filled with antique music boxes, clocks, camera equipment--you name it...!
I remember the tragedies of his life..., but he always survived these better than most would, and happily and admirably. FIRST, a fire in his Lakeside, CA neighborhood swept up the hill and totally destroyed everything he owned. How he survived by walking up the driveway at the last minute and watching the destruction took much courage, was quite an unusual inspiration to me. SECOND, I remember the night he fell and injured his spinal chord. He actually called me in the middle of that night after the accident and we talked while help on the way came to take him to the hospital. It was an honor for me to support him in this moment in his life. This, too, was one of the biggest of life's ordeals anyone could survive, and he did, with courage and dignity! He continued to work even with his disability. He truly was a best friend and he became an inspiration in his strength and attitude to survive.
God bless, and love for Frank... never to be forgotten!
Frank Stitt was a great help to me at my work at the Naval Research and Development Laboratory located on Point Loma in San Diego California. His effort in the Photography group there greatly helped to enhance my carrier as a physicist by creating films hat documented that I personally ran. These films and videos were used to ensure that the presentations to our sponsors in Washington DC kept our programs were funded for the entire 35 years I was employed by the lab.
Mutual respect during the entire period between 1972 thru 1995 brought us together as friends having lunch together at the lab and then, after retirement, with my wife and I weekly until he moved to Florida.
His basic attitude in life was to live and let live. He wouldn't judge other people. This is what I admired greatly.
I'll always admire him as a friend. I'll miss him.
Frank will be missed by all who knew him, he was kind and tolerant soul.
Via con Dios, old friend.
Stan Follis
I miss you, buddy but will never forget you.
Leave a Tribute
What I never told you
It's unfortunate but sometimes the most meaningful and important things are never told to the people in our lives. And now this is the case between you and I Dad. I always respected you, not just because of your John Wayne like statue (which was pretty intimidating as a young boy) but as a serious get things done man that was all business. I was always amazed and humbled by your military accomplishments while serving the Navy and wondered what it would be like for myself to experience those things. Thank you for sharing your love of the water with me. The most important and un said thing I would want to tell you now is that I did love you and want to thank you for sharing your time and philosophy's with me as I grew up. Frank you were a good man that will always be remembered and missed by everyone that knew you. Smooth sailing navy man! Your Son Bob.
The man next door
In November of 2004, Frank entered my familys lives. He moved into the house next door. At first he was just a quiet old man that I would talk to in passing. After a short time, Pam would spend time with him, just talking about his life.Pam started spending so much time with Frank that we joked that he was her boyfriend.
Frank would tell stories about his past and I thought he must be making them up. There is no way one person could have done all the things he said.
I then met some of his great friends from California and his family from around the country. When they told me all the stories were true, I was amazed. Frank had done more and seen more in his life than any three people could hope.
Frank had open heart surgery in 2005. I agreed to watch his cats for him.Frank said from that time on we would be close friends. I do not have a fondness for cats and Frank knew that.
Over the years we became more than just friends. We had as close to a father son relationship as there could be.My whole family had adopted Frank as a part of our family. To Pam, Frank became the father she no longer had. To my sons Adam and Michael , Frank was their grandfather.
Frank would frequent a local restaurant called Central Park Family Restaurant.The people there treated him like family and he fealt the same way towards them. If we were not going there to eat, he would join us for dinner.Frank would always be with us for holidays and special occasions.
When my friends and family would meet Frank, they would take an instant liking to him.He could talk to anyone on any subject and usually had a story to tell to go along with it.
Frank would often ask me why everyone loved him so much. He would say " I am just a regular guy ". To me it was obvious why he was so loved. He was so much more than just a regular guy.
In his later years, Franks health was failing and he could no longer travel. Thyat did not stop his friends and family from coming to visit. Franks dear friends would come to visit from California. After his heart surgery, his friends took turns coming to stay with him and help him. I am so glad I got to know them. They were so much a part of his life before I knew Frank. He always spoke with such regard for them and I know why.
Franks family would come visit from all corners of the country.I was truly pleased to meet them all. I know Frank loved when they came to visit. He would be talking about it for a month ahead of time. Everyone that visited was so gratious and loving. They accepted my family as part of theirs. That meant so much to me.
Franks nephew Mark was the only local relative and was able to visit more frequently. Mark would always bring something special for Frank. It could be a sandwich he was craving or something from the bakery he loved so much in St. Petersburg.
As I close this letter out, I am just thinking about how this man that moved next door has enriched my life so much. I guess I am now one of the keepers of his many stories that will be told over and over.
As my sister told me, he was the " Most interesting man in the world ".
I love and miss you Frank,
Dave