Franklin Joseph D’Agostino

December 16, 1943 – April 8, 2023

On December 16, 1943, in New York, New York, to two first-generation Italian-Americans, Katherine Fulva Anania and Joseph D’Agostino, came their second son, Franklin Joseph D’Agostino. In the shadow of World War II they welcomed into their home a warrior and a champion. As an all-state athlete from high-school and into college, Frank was top scorer on all his teams and was drafted into the ABA after college to play professional basketball. At the same time, the Vietnam War was raging and Frank decided to serve his country as a Marine instead. Frank achieved the rank of Captain and soon after completing his term of duty, Frank entered into and dominated the automobile industry.  Again, working his way up as top performer in the dealership, then district, and ultimately working his way to GM and VP roles spanning 15 dealerships. Frank was an active participant in the New York Scene of the 1970s and eventually worked his way over to California to be close to friends and seek the sun. It was during this time that Frank famously took fleets of General Motors cars to Saudi Arabia and sold them by the hundreds to sheiks. Once he made his way back to California, he fell in love with, and married Cheryl Sistig in 1981 and they too had two sons, Justin Franklin (B. 1984 – D. 2022) and Jason Franklin (B. 1987 – D. 2010). Although Frank was successful in business, his great joys were playing and coaching sports; and keeping tabs on his large extended family on both sides of the United States. Franklin died Saturday, April 8, 2023, in Mesa, AZ, of a clot-induced heart attack. He is survived by his bride, Cheryl Ruth (Sistig) D’Agostino, and her family; as well as by his brother, Robert (Bob) D’Agostino of Atlanta, GA, and his family.