Frank Murphone, 90, of Largo, FL, passed away on June 25, 2015 at home.
Born in Elizabeth, NJ to Samuel and Lillian Murphone, he was the oldest of five children. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Elizabeth in June 1943 and enlisted in the US Army. He served with the 88th Infantry Division in the Italian Campaign in North Africa, Rome Arno Conflict, North Appennines and Po Valley.
After a brief time in California with family, Frank attended school in Rome, Italy under the GI Bill of Rights, 1947-1950. He studied Italian and music among other subjects. In 1950, he re-enlisted with the US Army in Trieste, Italy until 1953 and earned the rank of Corporal. Frank then worked for Radio Free Europe in Munich, Germany from 1953-1959 where he married Margarete Murphone and had 3 children: Sylvana, Frank, Jr. and David.
In 1976, the family moved to Georgia and Frank went on to live in New Jersey, Connecticut, and finally Florida. He enjoyed traveling, especially in Europe, playing and refereeing basketball, umpiring softball, playing bridge, and he loved the beach.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Abilities, Inc., 2735 Whitney Road, Clearwater, FL 33760. This wonderful group is dedicated to assisting Veterans. A graveside service with military honors will be at 10 AM on Monday, August 17, 2015 at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines 33744.
Frank and I were companions for almost 16 years with us
both loving to dance, watch sports on tv, and having
dinner together. We had many happy memories and
he surely will be missed by me and my family.
Frank,Thank you for your service to our country and your love for our Mom and our family. You have always been a gentleman with high morals and integrity. Its been a gift being in your presence these past 16 years. Thanks for blessing all of us. Love, The Fiorettis
We just saw that Frank Murphone passed away. We met him as our customer in our restaurant a few years ago and he became a regular guest. During our conversations we discovered that he worked with my father together at Radio Free Europe in Munich. As we met his daughter Sylvana in the restaurant as well, we found out that we met years earlier un my function as a medical inflight nurse and her as a flight attendant on a flight from Munich to Atlanta, carrying a difficult passenger withmedical issues. The world is so small. We enjoyed Franks and Sylvanas visits in our restaurant very much. Frank will be truly missed.
Irena and family