BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, NY – St. Francis College Brooklyn mourns the loss of longtime Terriers supporter Frank Silvestri '53. Frank, who was 89, was a fixture within the St. Francis athletics community for the past 70 years and regularly attended Terriers' men's and women's basketball games. In fact, he was commuting by subway to the team's contests from his home in Bay Ridge well into his 80s. For the last several years, he enjoyed catching his Terriers in action via NEC Front Row.
"We want to send our deepest condolences to the entire Silvestri family during this difficult time. Frank was a dedicated supporter of St. Francis College and a true Franciscan that committed much of his time in promoting our Athletics programs. He was a great man and will be dearly missed in our community," said Director of Athletics
Irma Garcia.
A graduate of New Utrecht High School, he attended St. Francis when it was located on Butler Street from 1949-53. Frank worked on the athletics staff at SFC as a basketball statistician for then Terrier Head Coach Danny Lynch. In 1974, he played an instrumental role in forming the Terrier Hoop Club with fellow alumnus Tom Quigley '52 and several other committed Terrier fans.
"We are saddened to learn about the passing of our friend and loyal supporter Frank Silvestri. Frank was a wonderful person and a dear friend to so many in our community. Our heart goes out to his friends and family during this difficult time. We are forever grateful to him for his unbelievable support of our program throughout the years. Frank will be missed and we are keeping his entire family in our thoughts and prayers," said Men's basketball Head Coach
Glenn Braica.
He later served on the Red and Blue Club from 1985-2006, and most recently was a supporter of the Terrier Half Court Challenge that is featured at men's and women's basketball games. Over the years, Silvestri volunteered much of his spare time with his good friend Quigley in promoting SFC. Frank must have done a pretty good job with that promotion effort within his own household, as his son Robert '81 and daughter Teresa '87 both graduated from the College.
After working for several years in the insurance industry in Manhattan, Frank started his own insurance business in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, where he became an integral part of the business community there, and well-known for his commitment to local charitable causes. His heart, passion, sense of humor and Franciscan spirit will be missed.
