Former Stoneham Selectman; loved art, dance and music
STONEHAM — Francis P. Pignone Jr., 78, former Stoneham Selectman, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Winchester Hospital after a difficult three-week battle with COVID-19.
He was born in Cambridge on August 9, 1943 and was the son of the late Frank P. and Phyllis (Pappalardo) Pignone.
Frank “Lefty” Pignone was elected Class President of Stoneham High School Class of 1961, where he was not only captain of the SHS Football team, but was a baseball talent as well. He played a key role in the very naming of the Stoneham “Spartans.” He also spent a few years playing semi-pro football after high school.
Frank enlisted in the Army, trained as a pharmacist at Fort Sam Houston, TX, and was stationed in Inchon, Korea with the 119th Medical Detachment shortly after the Korean War. This is where he met his beloved wife and lifelong love “Miss Ro.” He transferred to the United States Army Reserve and was stationed at Fort Devens, MA. He ultimately served with the 351st General Hospital, 94th Army Reserve Command HQ, and 372nd Military Intelligence at Hanscom, AFB.
For several years, Frank and Rose owned and operated Baskin Robbins Ice Cream in Stoneham. He later earned a Bachelor of Finance Degree from Northeastern University. In his later years, Frank became an avid collector of memorabilia, and was a salesman and entrepreneur.
He remained passionate about town politics, always being concerned for the citizens and the betterment of the town. He loved sharing historical facts about the Town of Stoneham and co-administrated a popular Facebook page named “Stoneham History in Pictures.” He loved and appreciated art, dance, and music. He enjoyed spending his free time with his family, and his son’s dog “Jake” bringing him many smiles and comfort. He enjoyed traveling, watching sports, and appreciating quiet moments with nature.
He is survived by his loving wife Rose (Tae Pok, Ro) Pignone of Stoneham. He was the beloved father of Frank P. Pignone III and his wife, Kristen, of Londonderry, NH and John Pignone and his wife, Rachel, of Stoneham. He was the brother of the late Marie (Dolly) Pignone Randazzo, Stanley Pignone of Billerica, Phillip Pignone of Attleboro, and several nieces and nephews. Frank is also survived by his grandchildren Serina Brenner of NH, Jessika Pignone of SC, and Derik Pignone of NH.
Visitation for relatives and close friends will be held at the McDonald–Finnegan Funeral Home, 322 Main St., Stoneham on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, 71 Central St. Stoneham on Thursday at 10 a.m., and he will be laid to rest at St. Patrick Cemetery, in Stoneham.
In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that donations be made in the family’s GoFundMe page to help offset medical and burial expenses at https://www.gofundme.com/f/rose-pignone-needs-your-help?qid=e10cf63679f43c9f7b1846ac93a9dc22. 
