Obituary of Frank Antonelli

Frank A. Antonelli, a resident of Burlington for 46 years, passed away at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center on Sunday morning, November 6, 2011. The beloved husband of Lisa (DeAngelis), Frank had just celebrated his 81st birthday in October. Frank was born in Lunenburg. He was one of five sons born to the late Stephen and Christine Antonelli. Frank was raised and educated in Medford. He was a veteran of the Korean War serving his country in the United States Army. Frank worked for the B & M and Canadian Pacific Railroads and later for National Freight. In 1972, Frank started his own business, a bicycle store and small race engine shop on Franklin Street in Melrose. Frank was very active in the community and was a past president of the Melrose Rotary Club and later was a member of the Burlington Rotary Club. Frank was also a Past District Governor for the Melrose Rotary and served on the Melrose Board of Commerce. Frank also served in the Middlesex County Sheriff Department. Frank had a love for Harley Davidson motorcycles and race cars. On September 5, 1960 he proudly won the National Canadian Half-mile motorcycle championship. The following year, while racing his motorcycle in Canada, he broke his leg which took 5 years to heal which resulted in his retiring from motorcycle racing. He then became involved in car racing with his two daughters, first with quarter midget car racing, moving up to SCCA formula ford racing and Nascar late model and pro-stock. Frank was an excellent engine builder and as a result both daughters were very successful in racing. In 1991, as owner and crew chief, one of his proud accomplishments was when his daughter won the North Atlantic Road Racing championship. Frank’s proudest moments and biggest smiles came with being with his seven grandchildren. Frank was the beloved husband of Lisa (DeAngelis). Frank was the loving father of Lisa Petrizzi & her husband Charles and Michelle Gillis & her husband Chip all of Burlington. Brother of Paul of CO, Michael of GA, and the late Stephen & Donald. Frank was the devoted Papa of Nicholas, Anthony, Annalisa & Isabella Petrizzi and Samuel, Gabriella and Jillian Gillis. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt.128, Woburn side) on Thursday Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Memorial Services will follow at 12 Noon. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. Interment private. In lieu of flowers memorials in Frank’s name may be made to the Disabled American Veterans – William Hurley Chapter 113, C/O Andy Giordano, 3 Belmont Road, Burlington, MA 01803.