Forastiere named "Man of the Year"

EAST LONGMEADOW - Frank A. Forastiere has been named the UNICO Man of the Year 2006.

He will be honored at The Sixty-First Annual UNICO Man of the Year Dinner Dance conducted March 3 at Chez Josef,176 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam. For tickets & reservations contact Scott Santaninello, chairman, 127 Louis Road, Springfield, MA, 01118 or at 783-7693.

Forastiere's personal and professional qualities of dedication, self-reliance, integrity, business acumen and empathy became evident during his years attending American International College where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in finance. His positive influence on the campus community as a student leader was recognized when he was awarded the Homer J. Miller Award for outstanding student leader of his class of 1968. In addition, he was enrolled as a member of Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. His work at AIC continues today as a member of the Presidents Society.

Forastiere was born to the late Anthony J. Forastiere and Sylvia (Travaglia) Forastiere, the eldest of five: Dr. Arlene A. Forastiere, Peter A. Forastiere, JoAnn Forastiere Skiba and Ann Marie Forastiere.

Working in the family funeral business founded by his grandfather and namesake in 1905 seemed early on to be a natural choice of profession. Forastiere attended the New England Institute for Funeral Service in Boston from which he graduated in 1969 with highest honors and second in academic achievement.

Joining his father in the Forastiere and Sons Funeral Home, he proceeded to assimilate the business concepts and funeral service ideals he had learned into the "one-funeral home, two-employee" family owned operation. Understanding that people need emotional comfort during the confusion surrounding the loss of a loved one and the ensuing rites and ceremonies, Forastiere, working in tandem with his father and brother Peter, developed many innovations to meet the multi-faceted needs of the people they served. Acknowledging the need for physical comfort and convenience, Forastiere supervised the building of three additional state-of-the-art funeral homes in surrounding suburban communities of Agawam, Southwick and East Longmeadow; and the acquisition of a funeral home in Chicopee, the Tylunas Funeral Home.

Professionally, Forastiere is active in his field and in the larger business community. He was a participant in the University of Massachusetts Family Business Center, elected to the Massachusetts Funeral Director Association (MFDA) Board for three years and he then became President of MFDA in 1999. In 2005, MFDA recognized the family-operated business with an award for 100 years of service. On a national level, Frank was invited to become a member of the "Order of the Golden Rule" whose members only include outstanding funeral service providers. Forastiere is an active member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Cremation Association of North America.

Forastiere is dedicated not only to his chosen profession, but also to the greater Springfield community where he was born and raised. To fulfill his sense of civic responsibility, Forastiere has belonged to the JayCees and Hampden County Mental Health Association, and currently is active in the Springfield Lodge of Elks and Rotary International. He was also a member of the Trinity Church Nursery School Board and was appointed to the City of Springfield, Board of Fire Commissioners serving as its chairman from 1978 to 1983. During this time, a new fire headquarters building was built, new training center was opened, and the arson squad was enhanced.

Pride, support and loyalty to his Italian heritage are also evident through his actions. Forastiere has been actively involved in several Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church committees and activities. He served as an usher for many years, was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, served on the Mt. Carmel School Board and the Committee for the 100th Anniversary celebration year. He also served the Italian Community beyond the church. Forastiere served on the Mayor's Sister City Commission which chose Viterbo, Italy as one of Springfield's sister cities.

He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, and sat on the board of directors of the Italian American Societies and Clubs by which he was honored as Parade Marshall in 1985. Frank was a founder of the Italian cultural Center in 1986 and its treasurer for 10 years. And, foremost, Forastiere is a UNICAN. Serving on numerous committees, and elected as the Springfield Chapter's President in 1976, he received the UNICO Distinguished Service Award in 1996.

With most hours delegated to his community, Forastiere has always been foremost a family-oriented man. His pride and love of his wife Lila of 38 years, four daughters; Kimberly, Elayne, Amy and Loren and eight grandchildren; Maxxwell, Chaz, Parker, Avery, Dominic, Marina, Anton and Austin are evident and spending time with them affords the opportunity to travel to Moorhead, Minn.; Charleston, South Carolina and Boston.