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Frank Musarra, 97, of Mooresville, passed away at Autumn Care of Cornelius on Friday, December 22, 2017, with his loving family by his side. Frank was born on February 28, 1920 in Brooklyn, NY. Born to the late Salvatore and Concetta Accardi Musarra, he was one of eleven children and has a twin sister. His family moved to Sicily when Frank was five years old. At that very young age, Frank began performing manual labor and carrying various items and packages for others to help support his parents and 10 siblings. When he was 8 years old he began apprenticing in a blacksmith’s shop and learned to work with wrought iron creating elaborate ornamental iron work. At 14 years old he branched off and opened his own ornamental iron working business in Sicily, creating and installing decorative wrought iron fences, railings, and gateways for wealthy private landowners and local business. When Frank was 19 years old he was drafted by the Italian military to serve in WWII and spent 3 horrifying years fighting the war on the Russian front. He was commended for his bravery on multiple occasions for saving many of his fellow soldiers while risking his own safety. When the Italian army dissolved on the Russian front, Frank and a few of his comrades spent two perilous months traveling on foot through enemy territory, moving at night and hiding during the days, to find their way back to Italy. Unfortunately, he was one of only a few men to ever return to his hometown in Sicily from the war. Upon returning from the war, in 1946 he met and married the love of his life, Lucia Zuccarello Musarra who never left his side for over 71 years. Then in 1950, Frank and Lucia moved back to America with their children and started a new business, Musarra Iron Works, in Brooklyn, NY. Over the next 22 years, Frank built a legendary and highly sought after ornamental wrought iron business throughout the greater Tri-State and NYC metropolitan area. As a self made man Frank never advertised, yet by word of mouth there was incessant demand for his exclusive craftsmanship from wealthy clients. Frank insisted on absolute perfection in his work, thus he retained very few employees, performing virtually all of his custom work by himself. By the early 1970’s, through his unwavering work ethic, relentless dedication, and honorable business practices, Frank had realized the American dream. He then chose to return with his wife Lucia to Sicily to establish a new homestead. Always working, Frank spent the next few decades on his property and farm in rural Sicily where he and Lucia lived until just a few years ago. During these years, Frank and Lucia traveled back and forth between America and Sicily frequently to visit and enjoy their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Frank was known not only for his incredible skill and work ethic, but he was most importantly known as an honorable and loving family man. A very proud man, Frank made sure that his family came first in every way and always provided them with nothing but the best. He adored his wife Lucia and made sure till the end that she would be taken care of by his daughter Connie and son-in-law John. Those who knew Frank would always remark about how generous, gentle, considerate, and unassuming he was; Frank was a very private man and never wanted any attention. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body, and would help anyone in need no matter what sacrifice’s he had to make for himself. He will be truly missed by all, but most deeply by his family. In addition to his wife Lucia, Frank is survived by his loving daughter Connie Elia and son-in-law John Elia; his son Salvatore Musarra; seven grandchildren -- Lori Vetrano, Lucille Windsor (& Jason), Michelle Rudnitski (& Christopher) , Amy McMorrow (& Timothy), Frank Musarra (& Miriam), Chad Musarra, and Ryan Musarra; eight great grandchildren -- Nicholas and Elliana Windsor, Carlo Vetrano, Nolan Rudnitski, Madyson and Megyn McMorrow; Salvatore and Faye Musarra. In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Margi Musarra, and seven of his ten brothers and sisters. The family will receive friends on Friday, December 29, 2017, from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm and 2:00 - 3:30 pm with a service following at 3:30 PM at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 4530 Park Road Suite 240, Charlotte, NC, 28209. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Musarra family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

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Frank Musarra

February 28, 1920 - December 22, 2017