Heroic Brooklyn Youth Gets Street Named in His Memory
by Brooklyn Eagle (edit@brooklyneagle.net), published online 07-19-2010
Francesco Loccisano Way Dedicated In Dyker Heights
DYKER HEIGHTS — Francesco Anthony Loccisano (aka Frankie) was a charming and vibrant 17-year-old boy who was dearly loved and adored by his large family and many friends, most of whom had attended his street naming ceremony this past Saturday on 63rd Street and 14th Avenue.
Thanks to Community Board 11 and Councilmembers Sara Gonzalez and Vincent Gentile, among others, Rocco and Camille Loccisano’s dream had become a reality.
Frankie was filled with positive energy and enthusiasm. His loving family watched as he grew into an intelligent teenager. During his too-short life, he brought nothing but joy and happiness into the lives of all those around him. Frankie was dependable, responsible, a bright student and a great friend. His favorite subject was history, and he loved politics and economics. He also enjoyed a good and fair debate and he always presented facts to support his views.
His dream was to one day study law and practice as a criminal prosecutor. He even had thoughts of becoming a member of Congress. Congressman Michael McMahon, who spoke at the street-naming event, said, “Frankie was an inspiration to us all. This monument to his name will enable people who pass this way to look up and know Francesco Loccisano was someone special.”
His political views were moderate, and he always said, “depends on the issue!” He enjoyed football, was a Yankee fan, loved gangster movies, video games, online role playing and neighborhood stoopball. He appreciated simple pleasures, but he also enjoyed the finer things in life, such as handsome neckties and fine restaurants. He was a talented, creative writer and also an avid novel reader.
Frankie’s journey with childhood cancer began at the age of 14 during his freshman year of high school. He was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and later on a second cancer, Leukemia. He fought a long and hard battle against such illness for 27 months.
Many rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, multiple lung surgeries and an above the knee amputation are among the countless and various types of treatments that Frankie bravely endured in an effort to save his life. Along this journey, Frankie learned many life lessons, most especially about the hardships of humanity. This caused him to grow a tremendous compassion for those who were less fortunate, ill, or in pain. He vowed to start his own foundation because he wanted to help other children and families who were experiencing illness and misfortune.
As an older pediatric patient, Frankie especially understood the enormity of childhood cancer and what it meant to be so young and fighting for life instead of enjoying life. He prayed for anyone he was told about, young or old, no matter what their misfortune.
Through his own difficult time, he remained hopeful as well as prayerful. He kept Jesus as the center of his life and prayed to his special Catholic Saints, Padre Pio and St. Joseph. His desire to help other children were the last words he communicated to his family. On the day he passed, he was surrounded by those who loved him.
Frankie’s journey continues with the “Francesco Loccisano Memorial Foundation”, a grass-roots organization founded by Frankie’s family and friends who have pledged to remember the daily battle of children with cancer. His remarkable life and his sincere and heartfelt desire to help others are the pillars, the heart and the cornerstone of this foundation.
