Frank (Ray) Cilea, avid golfer, traveler
Frank (Ray) Cilea, 88, of Rehoboth Beach passed away Thursday, April 27, 2023, after a brief illness.
Frank was born Oct. 29, 1934, to Antonino Cilea and Angelina Spinella in Bova Marina, Reggio Calabria, Italy. His family thereafter moved to Rome, Italy, where he grew up.
Frank moved to the United States in 1950 and proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1960. After his honorable discharge, Frank worked at Alitalia Airlines for several years before his 30-year career as a sales executive with Japan Airlines.
In 1955, Frank met Palma Cilea, and they wed in 1960, going on to have two children, Anthony John and Mark Andrew. During their marriage, they lived in Brooklyn, Marlboro, Balmville and New Windsor, N.Y. Frank was predeceased by Palma in 1999.
In 2001, Frank wed Josephine Ott, and they moved to Rehoboth Beach in 2004.
Frank was an avid golfer, enjoyed travel and ran his own cruise travel agency. He proudly served as a fourth-degree knight in Knights of Columbus Star of the Sea Council 7297, Rehoboth Beach. He was an active member of UNICO, a service organization of Italian Americans. He was a congregant, altar server and minister of the Eucharist at St. Edmond Roman Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach. For years, he distributed the Eucharist to residents of the Brandywine Assisted Living community in Rehoboth Beach.
Frank is survived by his wife Josie of Rehoboth Beach; his son Anthony of Kennebunk, Maine, his son Mark of Brunswick, Maine; his grandchildren, Andrew and Tony; his brother Domenico of Rome, Italy; and his step-grandchildren Lauren and Erin Clark.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, May 4, at St. Edmond Roman Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, with a funeral Mass at noon. Private interment will be at Hope Cemetery in Kennebunk.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or stjude.org.
Arrangements by Short Funeral Services Inc., Milton. Send online condolences at shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com.
