Frank Giovannitti

Frank Giovannitti, born Francis Alfred, on March 12, 1930, was reunited with his beloved wife Colleen Valey Hess, and cat Peepers on May 11, 2024.  Frank's parents, Gilda Venditti and Gaetano Giovannitti raised him in Edgewood.  He attended Central Catholic, Duquesne University, and served in the Korean war.  During Frank's career, he owned The Red Door and Buddy's in Downtown Pittsburgh, the buildings that they were housed in, and a financial firm.  Frank had exquisite taste for architecture, design, and automobiles.  Colleen and Frank's most celebrated creation was their home on Woodland Road in Squirrel Hill for which Richard Meier won the 1984 Pritzker Architecture Prize.  His favorite place to gather with friends, who cared for and loved him, was Girasole in Shadyside.  We want to thank Shadyside Hospital for allowing us to make Frank's last day a beautiful gathering of friends to say our final goodbyes.  Donations can be made in Frank's memory to Animal Friends, Central Catholic, or a charity of your choice.  Friends will be received on Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 5-7 pm at John J. Gmiter Funeral Home, Ltd., 119 S. 15th Street, Pittsburgh, PA  15203.  A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 10 am at St. Paul's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue in Oakland, with a procession to the cemetery immediately following.  

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