Frank Venetta

Frank Lawrence Venetta, 84 formally of Niles, Ohio peacefully passed away January 15, 2021 in his Royal Palm Beach, Florida home with his daughters by his side. Frank was born March 16, 1936 in Morgantown, West Virginia to the parents of Nicola and Isolina (Salucci) Venetta. Shortly after, the Venetta family moved to Warren, Ohio. He was a 1955 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School and following graduation he entered the US Army serving in Fort Irwin, California with an honorable discharge in 1957. Frank was a dedicated employee of Warren General Electric for 39 years retiring in 1996. Although Frank enjoyed driving truck for GE his true passion was playing the saxophone and creating beautiful music for others. Frank began taking clarinet lessons at the age of 11 which led to his love of the Saxophone. While in high school, he was a member of the marching band, orchestra and started his own band which played at sock hops and basketball games. He also played at weddings and picnics with the Ray Olszewski Band and was featured every Sunday on the Warren WHHH Polka Broadcasting show. While in the Army his sax career continued as the member of a military jazz band. Frank played in the Bob Delmuti Band, The Eddie Vallus Band for 15 years, the Bill Basilone Band and his most loved band, Gloria Jean and Friends. He preformed for numerous concerts, weddings, Masses and recorded Polka albums, which one was nominated for the Grammy's in 1990. He also recorded three romantic love song albums with Gloria Jean and Friends in which two of the albums were Grammy nominated. He continued to play during his time in Florida with the Joe Fedorchak Band in Spring Hill and the Eddie Rodick Band in Daytona. Frank was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, The Penn-Ohio Polka Pals and the American Federation of Musicians Local 118 Warren, Ohio. Frank also was member of the Pit Band which performed at the 2008 Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame Awards Show and in 2008 received the Penn-Ohio Polka Pals Side Man of the Year Award. Frank married his beautiful wife Joanna May (Infante) Venetta in 1957, having two daughters which he cherished. Frank was preceded in death by his loving wife Joanna (Joanie), parents Nicola and Isolina Venetta, sister Frances (Guy) Guglielmi of Warren, Ohio and his sister Ann (Robert) Hannuksela of Cortland, Ohio. Frank will be deeply missed by his beloved daughters, Lynette (Venetta) & Joe Violante, Leanne (Venetta) & Howard Klippel, his grandsons he adored, Justin Bloom, Michael Bloom, Lukas Klippel, Jakob Klippel, niece Maria (Nickie) Rizer, niece Tonia Santangelo, nephew Mark Hannusela, his dear family, friends and the world of beautiful saxophone music. Palms West Funeral Home in Royal Palm Beach, Florida assisted the family with arrangements. A private service will be held for the immediate family only. Memories and condolences maybe shared with the family at www.palmswestfuneralhome.com.