Frank Joseph Yocca

Frank Joseph Yocca was called to the Lord after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on May 28, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.  Frank was the son of the late Ida Donato and John Arthur Yocca.

He was born in Yonkers, New York on October 9, 1943.  Frank graduated Valedictorian from Saunders Technical High School in 1961 where he excelled at Math, Science and Football.  He then graduated in 1965 from Manhattan College with a BS in Electrical Engineering.

On August 21, 1965, Frank married the love of his life Karen Sue Lauro.  They lovingly welcomed three children into this world John Sebastian Yocca (Mohylyn), Jennifer Yocca and Jill A. Conti (Andrew).  Frank also leaves behind grandchildren Sebastian Yocca, Olivia Yocca, Vincenzo Conti, Maximo Conti and Serafina Conti along with his closest cousin Esther Vespa.

Frank spent the first half of his career with U.S.Steel Corporation where he travelled the world extensively with multiple engineering assignments in Germany and Japan.   After taking an early retirement, he founded the A.C.Coy Company in 1986 where he worked with his son until this year.   By the way – A.C.Coy Company is simply his last name spelled backwards.  He wanted to use the name so that it would be listed at the beginning of the yellow pages after growing up with a name near the end of the alphabet.

Frank’s immediate and extended family were integral parts of his life.  He proudly attended over 30 family reunions and was always there when needed.   As an only child, he always treated his friends and his children’s friends like family.  He received a support card at the end from one of his daughter’s friends that said “what I remember most from the time spent with your family is your warm, encouraging and sometimes devilish smile.  I always felt like you were on my side, cheering me and all of Jen’s friends on, no matter what we were trying to achieve”.

In addition to family, Frank’s main interests and hobbies were gardening, wine, travel and cooking.  He liked all types of gardening, but especially enjoyed tending to his fig tree collection.  He was a member of the Duquesne Club, Chaine des Rotisseurs and Mondiale Interdite Wine Group.

Karen and Frank traveled extensively.  They visited their ancestral homeland of Italy, Islands in the Caribbean, countries in Europe and South America, China, India, Alaska, Antarctica and their very favorite place Napa.

In 1983, Frank and Karen fell in love with St. Maarten and purchased their first vacation home.  Over the years, they gradually ended up spending more and more time on the island.  They enjoyed welcoming friends and family down to visit for weeks at a time.

Almost all foodies have a dream to someday own a restaurant and Frank was no different.  In 2003 along with his son and two close friends, he opened up Bella Piatto restaurant in McMurray, PA.  Although the restaurant didn’t ultimately succeed, he was excited about the quality of the food and the service the patrons received.  A positive experience was considered success enough.

Family and friends are welcome Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 3-5 and 6-8 pm at Pittsburgh Cremation & Funeral Care, 3287 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA 15317, 724-260-5546. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, 10 am at St. Benedict the Abbot church located at 120 Abington Dr. McMurray, PA 15317

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Frank’s favored charity, the Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Province of Saint Augustine, 220 37th St. Pittsburgh, PA 15201-1806, www.capuchin.com.