Frank Altadonna

Frank Altadonna passed away peacefully on December 22, 2024, at the age of 93. Beloved husband of late Anna, proud father of John (Rosalina), grandfather of Anna (Casey) Floyd, Nina, and Frank (Amanda). Most recently, Frank became a great-grandfather to Juliana Floyd — whom he loved to spoil with hugs and $20 bills. Frank is also the loving brother of Salvatore and the late John and Giuseppe. Born February 18, 1931, in Carini, Sicily to parents Giovanni and Ninfa Altadonna, Frank was one of 4 children. There on the cobblestone streets of Carini, Frank met his wife Anna during a local festival. Soon after, they went on their first date and the following year, they were wed on September 21, 1957. Another year later, they welcomed their beautiful son John after moving to Detroit, Michigan. Frank and Anna shared 61 joyful years together filled with love, laughter, and lots of pasta. They spent many Mondays at Metro Park with friends playing bocce and enjoyed many road trips to Windsor, Niagara Falls, and New York City visiting family. Frank was also an avid gardener and card player. If you ever sat down to play cards with him, you should have been prepared for fierce competition and witty banter. And if you visited one of his two gardens recently, you’d have left with the freshest tomatoes, eggplants, or figs around Shelby Township. When he wasn’t gardening or playing Scala, Frank was with his adoring family. Either at his son John’s home enjoying his grandchildren or hosting at his home on Cedar Lake. If you spent time with Frank, you knew he was a proud and loving man. He was creative, resourceful, and incredibly independent his entire life. For example, if you ever needed a hand fixing something, Frank would find an inventive way to solve it using simple items around the house. He was also known for baking delicious bread and making his own wine — which he’d happily serve to any visitors. From building skyscrapers in New York City during the 1960s to acting as head chef of Athena Hall from 1973-2000 to serving in the Italian army in the 1950s, Frank lived a full life. Words cannot express the legacy that Frank Altadonna has left behind. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends — who are blessed to have had him for so many years. Please join his family in celebrating the life of this wonderful man: Friday, December 27: Visitation 3-8pm at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons (54880 Van Dyke Ave.) Saturday, December 28: Funeral In-State 9:30am at St. John Vianney Catholic Church (54045 Schoenherr Rd.) Funeral Mass 10am at St. John Vianney Catholic Church (54045 Schoenherr Rd.) Mass followed by entombment at Resurrection Cemetery (18201 Clinton River Rd.) Entombment followed by luncheon at Villa Penna Banquet (43985 Hayes Rd.) Share memories with the family at their "On Line Guest Book" @ WujekCalcaterra.com.

Frank Altadonna

February 18, 1931 - December 22, 2024