Frank Schimizzi

Frank Schimizzi, 94, of Greensburg, passed away Friday morning, June 24, 2022, at his home.  Born in Apollo, PA, on January 31, 1928, he was the sixth of nine boys born to his Italian immigrant parents, Frank and Frances (Malaspina) Schimizzi.  Growing up on a farm alongside eight brothers, Frank gained an early appreciation for the love of family, a value that he cherished throughout his life and instilled in his family.

At age 15, Frank left high school to work on the family farm while his three older brothers served in World War II.  He was later drafted into the Korean War where he earned his GED and attained the rank of Sergeant. He was honorably discharged from the Army at age 24 and returned home to marry his girlfriend, Rosemary Lang of Renton. They remained happily married for 59 years until her sudden passing in 2011.  In 2018, at the age of 90, Frank was awarded his high school diploma from Kiski Area High School under “Operation Recognition.”

Frank enjoyed a long and successful career in the automotive industry. In 1961, Frank and his brother Joseph opened Hillview Motors, Inc., where he served as president and general manager for 35 years.  Since its inception, Hillview Motors received numerous recognitions under Frank’s leadership including the distinction in 1987 of being the country’s number one sales volume leader for the AMC Eagle.  In February of 1987, People Magazine recognized Frank as the regional winner of its Outstanding AMC Dealer of the Year Award.  Frank served as a National Dealer Council member and President of the Pittsburgh AMC Dealer Advertising Association. Over 60 years later, Hillview Motors continues in operation and is managed by three of his five children and employs several grandchildren.

While Frank was an avid golfer, fisherman, hunter, and snowmobiler, his greatest joy was spending time with his family at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland.  In 1968, he and his wife Rosemary purchased Robin Adair, an authentic log cottage that became the heart and soul of their family.  In 1983, they built a second home next to the log cottage to accommodate their growing family. Ever since, the family has spent their summers at the lake, where Frank taught countless friends and family members to waterski.  Frank and Rosemary especially enjoyed time with their dear friends and neighbors.

As years passed, Frank spent most of his time in Greensburg, where he enjoyed regular lunches with his long-time friends, poker games with his brothers, sons, and nephews, and weekly visits with his brothers and sister-in-law.   He was blessed with a close and loving companionship with Lee Martin, who shared his home with him for the past 10 years.

Frank is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Rosemary (Lang) Schimizzi, along with his parents and six brothers.  He is survived by his companion, Lee Martin; his children: Paul (Barbara) Schimizzi, Richard (Lugene) Schimizzi, Frank (Pat) Schimizzi, all of Greensburg, Lois (Tom) Blum of Catonsville, MD, and Butch (Tamara Hale) Schimizzi of Apollo; his  grandchildren: Jennifer (Aaron) Yothers, Kate (Jason) Piper, Michael (Lisa) Schimizzi, Thomas (Marissa) Schimizzi, Matt (Lindsey) Schimizzi, Danny Schimizzi, Nick (Shannon) Schimizzi, Emily Schimizzi, Carrie (Neal) Spada, Chris (Lisa) Schimizzi, J.T. Schimizzi, Ryan Blum, and Amy Blum; and his  great-grandchildren: Samantha Yothers, Dominic, Lydia, Emerson and Francesca Piper, Carter and Mabel Schimizzi, Lyle Schimizzi and Logan Spada. He is also survived by his brothers, Warren Schimizzi of Apollo and Richard Schimizzi of Greensburg; his sister-in-law, Beverly Schimizzi of Apollo; and many special nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME, 524 N. Main Street, Greensburg.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, July 1, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. in BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHEDRAL, 300 N. Main Street, Greensburg. (Everyone please go directly to the church.) Interment will follow in the Greensburg Catholic Cemetery with military honors bestowed by S. Greensburg American Legion  Post 981.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Suncrest Hospice at 300 Penn Center Blvd, Suite 120, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 or The Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Church, 300 N Main St, Greensburg, PA 15601.  Online condolences are welcome at www.kepplegraft.com