03/16/12 - NNHS Newsletter - Frank Ottofaro
Frank Joseph Ottofaro, Sr. Newport News High School Class of 1954 |
Dear
Friends and Schoolmates,
There is still more
sad news today.
Frank Ottofaro, Class of 1954,
passed away at Riverside Hospital on Wednesday evening, March 14, 2012 at the age of
77.
From
Jack Nelson ('54) of Northern VA - 03/16/12, 6:53 PM - "Re:
Frank Ottofaro":
Fellow Classmates,![]() classmates has passed away. Go to following for story in today's Daily Press: http://www.dailypress.com/news/hampton/dp-nws-ottofaro-passing-20120315,0,4024245.story Sadly yours, Jack Nelson
Oh, Jack, I'm so sorry to hear
this! I only met Frank once at one of
|
From the Daily Press - 03/16/12:
Hampton activist Frank Ottofaro dies Wednesday nightOttofaro fought against the city's use of eminent domain |
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HAMPTON – Frank
Ottofaro, a resident best known for being a thorn in the side of
Hampton's City Council, died Wednesday night at Riverside Hospital. Ottofaro, 77, was admitted to the hospital earlier in the day because of congestive heart failure and succumbed to his ailments later that day, according to posts on his son's Facebook page. "As we get older, we tend to forget those special times growing up with our parents both good and bad, it makes us who we will become in life ourselves," Frank J. Ottofaro Jr. wrote. "He was a man of principles and morals, and he would never forgive you if you did him wrong." In the public's eye, the elder Ottofaro was known for addressing the City Council on the issue of eminent domain. |
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Frank Ottofaro | |||
(Daily Press / December 29, 2011) | |||
His rental home at 11 Pine Chapel Road was taken using eminent domain and the structure was demolished in 2000 so a road could be built for the Power Plant development. After a five-year legal battle, Hampton Circuit Court jury awarded Ottofaro $170,000 in 2001 for property. Ottofaro's appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court was denied. "You've done me wrong," Ottofaro would repeatedly tell City Council members during public comment sessions he attended. Ottofaro's case against the use of eminent domain may be used to amend the law in Richmond. The argument is also being eyed by academia. "Regardless of whether the full factual record of the Ottofaro case proves the landowners' claims, it is at least an instructive example of the potential harm inherent in the condemnation power when political entities have broad discretion in its application and commercial development is in play," wrote Donald J. Kochan, a visiting professor at George Mason School of Law in an article for the Virginia Institute for Public Policy. Arrangements for funeral services have not yet been announced. |
From the Daily Press - 03/17/12:
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"Big Frank," "Otto," "Mr. O," "Peaches," and sometimes just "Frankie" as he was called by most of his friends and family, was born and raised in Newport News. Frank served five years in the Navy and Naval Reserve as a Seaman 3rd Class, receiving an Honorable Discharge. In both high school as a Newport News Typhoon, and in the Navy, he played football as his sport. Frank grew up working various jobs to earn money like at the Colonial Food Store with his father since the age of nine, at Red's Pier in Newport News with his brother, Domenic, at HRSD as a plant operator, and then as a deckhand for many years on the C&O tugboats. In 1960 Frank opened up his first business known as Frankie's Drive In, and a second business in 1968 known as Otto's Sunoco Service Center located on North King Street, both businesses in Hampton. During this time in the service station business, Frank worked hard to support his family by working between the 12-hour shifts at the C&O, and operating a full service business pumping gas, fixing tires, and meeting new people.
He loved to socialize and
participate in his many organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club,
the Peninsula Sports Club, and he was a lifelong member of the Hampton
Moose Lodge. Frank was also a devoted Republican. He loved to play cards
and flip a coin or two with his friends, usually with both sides winding
up being even. Although his failing heart is what took his life, it was
one of the biggest anyone could have when it came to giving and helping
others. He would routinely buy fresh bread, crab meat, oysters, and most
recently vegetables to give to his friends as gifts, and you would
always catch him with the lifesavers mints in his pocket to give out.
When he would find out that one of his friends had lost a loved one, he
would make it a point to attend their funerals although he may not have
known them that well. He wanted to help others, it was that simple.
Frank is also known for his 11 year battle against the City of Hampton
over the use of Eminent Domain to take his property from him and his
family for the Power Plant of Hampton Roads. His story was most recently
featured in the Daily Press newspaper just this past January, covering
the majority of the front page. Due to Frank's never ending fight until
his death, his case is now being used throughout the nation to change
some of the laws governing Eminent Domain abuse, and is also being used
in law schools.
Published in the Daily Press from March 17 to March 18, 2012. |
March 17, 2012 ![]() March 17, 2012
Generous is the word that most often comes to mind when we think of
Frank. He never paid a visit empty handed. Hot dogs, collard greens,
crab meat .... you name it, he seemed to have it tucked somewhere in
that van of his. As his legs began to fail him, he made it a habit
to drive up in front of the house and honk and honk and honk until
he was able to get someone's attention .... even if it was the
neighbor 5 doors down. We all love Frank. We have all truly been blessed by having the opportunity to meet such a loving person. We should all go through life trying to bring the "Frank" out and the world would be a much better place. Our sincerest condolences to all of the family and friends. May our many wonderful memories bless us all with a smile, a warm heart and a funny story to tell when honoring the memory of Frank Ottofaro, Sr. Jeff and Page Kremp ~ Page Kremp, Hampton, Virginia March 17, 2012 |
Our sincerest sympathies are extended to Frank's family and friends at this difficult time.
This information is also posted here:
http://nnhs65.com/memoriam-all.html
http://nnhs65.com/memoriam54.html
Y'all take good care of each other! TYPHOONS FOREVER! We'll Always Have Buckroe!
Love to all, Carol
==============================================
NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE:
http://www.nnhs65.com
PERSONAL WEB SITE:
http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat
==============================================
Carol Buckley
Harty
7020 Lure Court
Fayetteville, NC 28311-9309
915-780-3048
O Sacred Head Now
Wounded
Text: Anonymous;
trans. by Paul Gerhardt and James W. Alexander
Music: Hans L. Hassler, 1564-1612; harm. by J.S. Bach, 1685-1750
1. O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown:
how pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!
2. What thou, my Lord, has suffered
was all for sinners' gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with thy favor,
vouchsafe to me thy grace.
3. What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
O make me thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love for thee.
"O Sacred Head" midi courtesy of http://romaaeterna.web.infoseek.co.jp/basil/sb038.html - 04/08/06
"O Sacred Head" lyrics courtesy of http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh286.sht - 04/08/06
Image of Charles
Bosseron Chambers' Painting, "The Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ", courtesy
of
http://www.restoredtraditions.com/Sacred_heart_Jesus_Christ_CBChambers.aspx
- 03/11/09
Image of Zabateri's Painting, "The Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ", courtesy
of
http://www.restoredtraditions.com/Sacred_Heart_Jesus_Christ_Catholic_art_print_Zabateri.aspx
- 03/11/09
Blackwork Flowers Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.bravenet.com - 08/12/04
Animated Navy Flag clip art courtesy of http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/KevsGifsGalore/Patriotic.html - 06/18/03
Navy Seal clip art courtesy of http://www.onemileup.com/miniSeals.asp - 05/29/06
Moose Lodge Logo courtesy of http://www.silverbuckleband.com/SilverBuckleSchedule1.html - 11/24/08