Honoring the Life and Legacy of
Frank P. Esposito
Obituary
Frank P. Esposito, resident of Washington DC, died in his Dupont Circle home on January 17, 2023 at age 66. Frank was born July 5, 1956 to the late Arthur J. Esposito and Rita V. Johnson in White Plains, NY. He is survived by brother, William (Margaret) Esposito of Acworth, GA; step-sister, Debra Johnson of Alexandria, VA; cousins Richard (Jancee) Marcone of Stratford, CT; Robert (Mary) Marcone of Port St. Lucie, FL; niece, Jessica (Shawn) Welch; and nephew, Billy (Jaime) Esposito.
Frank graduated from Lakeland High School cum laude (1974) prior to obtaining his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Crane School of Music SUNY Potsdam where he also graduated cum laude in 1978. He had a keen intellect. He was the smartest person in the room. You wanted him on your team for Trivia!
Frank’s work career spanned several decades. He was last employed at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art as an Advancement Associate. He also worked in administration at Friends & Co. as well as being Office & Production Manager at Lomangino Studio, Assistant Property Manager at SJG Properties, as well as Manager of Tako Grill.
Frank enjoyed international travel to many countries: Italy (where he visited with family), France, Turkey, Thailand, China, and Morocco to name a few. He spoke several foreign languages including Italian, French, & Spanish. He enjoyed the arts, music, and reading. He played the organ, guitar, and oboe in his early years. He appreciated fine wines, dining out, gourmet foods, and cooking. He had style, class, and loved urban life in Washington DC or for that matter, any city he was visiting. He walked everywhere and one could hardly keep up with him.
He enjoyed and found fulfillment in his international work at the Smithsonian Institute with colleagues and associates. He would speak of them often. He collected African art and owned an extensive CD collection of music. Frank was loved by all who knew him. He was an eager and great listener – calm and sensitive to others. He saw the beauty in all things and all peoples. He was a friend to many and will be sorely missed.
This ongoing digital space (HonoringFrankEsposito.com) will serve as Frank’s “digital headstone” memorial and guestbook where all can post condolences for Frank’s family as we grieve his passing. Please share your memories of Frank in the guestbook below. You can post a picture, a story, or perhaps a poem to honor Frank and we encourage you to do so. This memorial site will remain and is in lieu of a Washington DC funeral/memorial service. A future celebration of Frank’s life is being planned by his family in the Atlanta, GA area. Please share HonoringFrankEsposito.com to your social media networks so many more people will have an opportunity to share sentiments that all will enjoy viewing.
Photo Gallery
Afterglow
by Helen Lowrie Marshall
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
In Lieu Of Flowers Please Consider Donating To American Heart Association
For those who would like to remember Frank with a donation please consider the American Heart Association as Heart Disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States since the 1950’s. This disease has had a profound effect on our family over the years and now again with Frank’s passing. Frank would be honored to know your donation in his memory is helping this worthy cause.
I am so heartbroken to read that Frank has passed. He was such an inspirational person……rest in peace and many blessings to your family!
My dearest Frank,
For all the memories we have had from my living in WDC and all of our dinners on my terrace and we would joke about Terrace dresses. And if it was a late night, so to speak, I would say I could speak Japanese and you would laugh so hard!!Then I was off to northern Cali and you took the time to come visit to where we sold you being Robert Downey Jr. In Carmel. But when we got stopped by the police on our way back from Carmel because you were flicking your cig ashes out my little jeep windows!!! Who knew they were In a dry season and you could have lit a field on fire!!!!? Then you didn’t give up on me when I moved to Miami and again you came to visit. Another set of memories that I will never forget. Then off to Charleston, we danced in my kitchen to Talk Talk and walked the streets of Charleston to see the sights and visit every speak easy. You made me laugh and I wouldn’t trade in any moment we shared together. You’ll always be in my heart! Rest in peace my friend and I’ll see you on the other side and we will continue our shenanigans. Love you to pieces!
SB
So nicely written Suzanna! We so appreciate you sharing this special sentiment for all of us to enjoy and reflect upon.
Condolences to Frank’s family.
Frank and I were neighbors at the Apolline. I feel very fortunate to have met him at a party of a mutual friend, which was held a few weeks before Thanksgiving. Frank came to my place for Thanksgiving that year and went above and beyond in generosity, bringing multiple bottles of wine and several food items. It was a wonderful night with fun conversation and excellent food (thanks to Frank!). It ranks as one of my favorite Thanksgiving.
Whether running into him in the laundry room or watching 4th of July fireworks together on the building roof deck, I always enjoyed talking with Frank and hanging out. Frank was one of the most generous and best hosts I know, quick to invite me to his place to catch up over a glass of red wine. I am thankful for knowing Frank. Because of Frank’s generosity I have my current job (for over 8 years). I remember it well — I was coming back from the trash room on a late Sunday afternoon and ran into Frank in the hall. He invited me in for a glass of wine (of course) and our conversation turned to my quest to find a temp agency. Frank referred me to an agency he worked with and through this connection I ultimately landed where I currently work. I truly believe that if Frank had not invited me in that day I would not have wound up in this job which I enjoy very much. Thank you Frank. Your memory is a blessing.
Thank you for sharing Gena. Your kind words mean the world to us.
My earliest memory of Frank was in “Get Smart” in middle school. I was in the stage crew and he played Chief. What fun, we had!?
The news of the passing of my colleague and friend, Frank Esposito, went straight that place in my heart where sadness is made. I met and worked with Frank when I had the great privilege and joy of serving as the director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. After meeting and getting to know Frank, I respected and admired him for his sharp mind and open heart to diverse peoples and cultures of the world. Frank deeply loved and respected African Art, and it showed in the quality of the work that he did at our museum. I smile as a remember the particular way in which Frank was a bon vivant. In tribute to Frank, and hopefully as words of comfort to his family, I want to share this African saying. As long a person’s name is called, that person never dies. Let us all continue to call Frank Esposito’s name.
Thank you for sharing Dr. Cole. Your words are inspirational and a healing balm to our family as we grieve Frank’s passing. We will speak his name often and celebrate Frank’s “particular way” as it was a path of peace, love and light.
Last one: my friend Frank, summer, about 1973
A favorite picture of Frank dancing with friend Sharon Steinberg, around 1974
Program from speech team Parent’s Night
“Get Smart” program from our middle school play
Frank and me dressed for a school spirit day, around 1972
with Peter at a park picnic around 1969 – 1970
It took me over a week to sort through my many memories and pictures so I could share some of them here.
Frank and I met in 7th grade, which for us was 1967 – 1968. I remember going to his 13th birthday party that summer, and from that time on all the way through high school we celebrated almost every milestone together: birthdays, starting high school, debate and speech tournaments, learning to drive, National Honor Society, prom, graduation. With our large group of friends, we had many parties, dinners and picnics in the park (the park then called Mohansic State was a favorite).
Frank and I (and many of our friends) both loved singing, dancing, and movies. We danced at my house often to Bette Midler’s “The Divine Miss M,” and one summer Frank and I even went regularly to Bear Mountain State Park to square dance!! (I loved that he did that with me despite the heat; oh, how he would sweat!). When we were 16 we tried to go and see “The Godfather” in the movie theater. It was rated “R” (under 17 not admitted without parent or guardian), and when they asked us how old we were we told the truth so they wouldn’t let us in. So we went over to the theater showing “Cabaret” – also rated R! – but this time we told a little white lie and got in. https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/svg/1f60a.svg
Performing was also something Frank and I shared, although he did a lot more of it back then. He was such a talented musician and dramatic artist! The first time I remember seeing him perform was in middle school – he played Gandalf the Wizard in a production of the stage version of “The Hobbit.” We were in a middle school play together, too – the stage play based on the old TV spy comedy “Get Smart.” Frank played the role of The Chief. Another time we provided music for a family wedding: Frank played the oboe and I sang the Carpenters’ song “For All We Know.” In high school, I was on the debate team (and not very good), and Frank was on the speech team. His most common event was Dramatic Interpretation, which is basically performing a monologue from a play; he was so good at that!
Frank was so well-liked that he was chosen by our classmates to be one of the two graduation speakers (that’s the way it was done in our high school). With a class of almost 400 students voting, that tells you something about him!
After high school, we stayed in touch through college and through the many twists and turns of our post-college lives. I moved a lot for 15 years after college, so we didn’t see each other much. But then I landed in Southern Maryland, and with Frank living in D.C. we were at least able to get together once or twice a year. In fact, about 10 years ago I convinced Frank to take a road trip with me to a class reunion in New York. It was a great chance to catch up and listen to many of our favorite tunes along the way.
Over all the years, no matter where we were, or what was going on with us, we cheered each other on and remained friends. For over 50 years. That is such a rare gift!
Frank, I love you. I will miss you always. I promise to keep singing, and dancing, and participating in community theater in your honor. Rest in Peace, old friend!
[Some pictures to follow]
Thank you for sharing Kathy! This is a great account of a 50 year friendship and it means the world to us.
I just wrote a really long entry that I think got lost. I will recreate it tomorrow and post it here. Until then, here is an article with picture from the high school scrapbook my mother made for me.
I see your two posts and they are so appreciated by my family and me. I know how important Frank was to Meads! Thank you so much for honoring Frank here.
I knew Frank since our daughter Kathy was in the seventh grade. I remember him as one of Kathy’s three male amigos, Frank, Michael, Peter. I have fond and happy memories of the times they spent at our home, playing pool or games, listening to music (lots of Bette Midler) and dancing. Frank was always a polite and caring young man. After high school he was off to college and we didn’t have much personal contact Kathy would keep us updated on his progress and activities. Through Kathy he would always send his regards to us and ask how we were doing. He definitely had an interesting life and personally touched so many people. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. My sincere condolences to Frank’s family and may his soul rest in peace.