It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Francis (“Frank”) Samuel Trigilio III.  If life was like a round of golf, Frank would be just making the turn and stopping at the clubhouse for a beer.  He was a young man, and he has left us far too soon.  Frank passed on August 14, 2024 in the presence of his loving wife, Patti, his daughter, Tara, and with the thoughts and prayers of his family and his many friends and colleagues in both Houston and Erie.

Frank was born on December 28, 1949, in Erie, Pennsylvania, to Rose and Francis Trigilio II.  Rose passed away when Frank was still very young, and he was raised by his father and stepmother, Margaret Trigilio.  Frank’s siblings include Mary Ann Trigilio Powell (now in Sigel, Pennsylvania), Anthony Trigilio (now in Chicago, Illinois), and Carmen Trigilio, deceased.

Frank graduated from Erie’s McDowell High School in 1968.  He then spent a few years working hard on his passion – baseball – and tried his very best to play professionally.  Then, in 1971, Frank enlisted in the United States Army.  He was stationed at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn until he was assigned to the 1^st Cavalry Division in Vietnam.  Frank received a Commendation Medal and was honorably discharged as a Specialist E-5 in August 1975.

After serving his country, Frank attended Mercyhurst College in Erie, where he studied hotel and restaurant management and where he continued to play baseball.  Ultimately, Frank landed in the oil and gas industry, and specifically the pipeline measurement industry, where he spent more than 40 years in sales for LTS and Smith Meter in Erie, and for MTI in Houma, Louisiana.  His knowledge and experience in this field will be greatly missed.

Frank found himself on the job in Houston in 2002, and discovered that, in Houston, he could play golf every month of the year.  So, as much as he loved Erie, and his Erie friends, Houston became his home.  That same year he met his wife and his best friend, Patti, and as they say, the rest is history.

Frank stayed active.  His hobbies included golf, bowling, softball, baseball, motorcycles, woodworking, and photography.  Frank loved baseball and he loved to play and coach softball.  He was an avid bowler — he bowled 2-300 games and held a 202 average.  He loved the wind in his face when he was riding his Harley.  And most of all, Frank loved being with and around his family and his friends, both in Houston and in Erie.  Frank especially loved going back to Erie to visit friends and family, to attend reunions, and ride motorcycles.  In short, he loved the people in his life, and they loved him.

Frank was a good guy, and an optimist.  He had a great sense of humor, and he could light up the room with his sense of humor and quick wit.  He will be missed by everyone that knows him.

In Pennsylvania, Frank is survived by his children, Tara Trigilio (Jeremy) Biddle, and Frank Samuel Trigilio IV; and by his grandchildren Austin, Avery, Lincoln and Frank V.  In Houston, Frank is survived by his wife, Patricia (“Patti”) Maher Trigilio, by his step-children Jake (Amber), Tanya (Leo) and Wesley (Danielle), by his grandchildren Madi, Luke, Bryce, Hattie, Sophia and Melissa, and by his puppies, Cosmo and Kramer.

On Monday, August 19, 2024, a memorial service will be held for Frank at New Hope Church, 15503 Zabolio Drive, Webster, Texas 77598.  Viewing will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the service will follow at 7:00 p.m.  The family requests (but does not require!) that those attending wear Houston Astros apparel.

Services in Erie will begin with a viewing on Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at East Lake Road Alliance Church, 4500 East Lake Road, Erie, Pennsylvania 16511, under the funeral direction of John Orlando Funeral Home.  The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery on West Lake Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society. www.donate.cancer.org.  #Cancer Sucks.