Frank H. Saccone, 79, of Naples, Florida and Boston, Massachusetts, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 20, 2007, in Naples, Florida. Mr. Saccone was born in Revere, Massachusetts in 1927 and raised in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1944, at the age of eighteen, Mr. Saccone enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Corps. While stationed in Miami and assigned to the Torpedo Bomber Plane (TBM) squadron, he flew in one of two TBM five- plane squadrons in a routine practice flight in the “Bermuda Triangle”. Only one squadron returned from the flight. The other five planes remain a key mystery in the history of the Bermuda Triangle.
Mr. Saccone graduated from Bentley College and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1959.
He also attended Suffolk Law School and Northeastern University. He subsequently opened his own accounting business. In addition to his many clients he became the financial advisor and business manager to Rocky Marciano, the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world, until Mr. Marciano’s untimely death in 1969.
A an entrepreneur, Mr Saccone became involved in many business ventures, among them being the owner and operator of the famous Toll House Restaurant in Whitman, Massachusetts, Known for the origin of the “Toll House Cookie” in the early 1930’s. Other diversified businesses included wholesale and retail petroleum, machine tools and electrical equipment, and cellular radio licensing.
Mr. Saccone was also a well known coin collector. From the 1930’s he carefully assembled an impressive holding of American numismatic items. He attended many coin auctions and conventions throughout the country and established an incredible portfolio of coins for over thirty-five years. A book was published about his collection which was later auctioned by Bowers and Merena at The World Trade Center in New York.
As an avid pilot, he was a member of the oldest flying club in America, The Brockton Flying Club. Mr. Saccone also loved sailing, a passion he enjoyed in both Naples and Boston, especially on his sloop, the “Carolyn G”, named after his wife. He was also a past member of the Hanson Riding Club.
Having grown up in the West end of Boston in the 1940’s, Mr. Saccone was a member of The Mercury Boy’s Club. He and several other members were part of a larger group who became the subject of The Harvard Medical School Study of Adult Development. The study continues today and is subject of a book entitled Aging Well. The Book’s author Dr George E. Vaillant, commenting on a book he inscribed for Mr. Saccone, wrote”for Frank-a model of a winner in the great game of life”.
Frank Saccone will be lovingly remembered by his extended family and friends.
Mr Saccone is survived by his beloved wife of sixty years, Carolyn (Sulmonte ) Saccone of Naples Fl. And Boston ;his three sons David Saccone of Whitman, Donald Saccone and his wife Lynne of Bridgewater and Scott Saccone and his wife Nancy of St. Louis MO. .He is also survived by his three granddaughters, Vanessa Saccone, Lauren Egan Saccone and Isabel Chiara Saccone.www.blanchardfc.com.
His funeral will be held Thursday March 1st at 9:15 A.M. from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth ST. (RT. 58 at the rotary circle) Whitman, MA, followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 A.M. in the Holy Ghost Church School ST. Whitman, MA.. Burial will follow in the Mount Vernon Cemetery, Abington, MA. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday February 28th 2-4 and 6-8.Donations may be made in his name to the American Heart Association,4217 Park Place court,Glen Allen ,VA.23060 or www.americanheart.org or to The Schepens Eye Research Institute,20 Staniford St, Boston, MA.,02114 or www.schepens.harvard.edu/giving.htm.