Condolences

• 09/03/2024

  Darren Sample

  Back in the early 80s when everybody used to play basketball at the Pleasant Heights courts at Murphy's field. Frankie always had a basketball with him practicing by himself mostly. I would pick him for my team run full court. His face would light up. You want me to play with you. I'd say damn right Frankie you are one of the best players out here.He'd say ok. I would show him the man that he had the guard and tell him offenses pass and pick opposite. He'd say okay I got you. Loved playing basketball with franki Frankie !! Love you buddy !!😪

• 09/03/2024

  Debbie Pickford

  Frank was so kind and always had a smile on his face.a very wonderful person.everyone lived him!

• 09/03/2024

  anthony gump

  I use to ride the city bus with him alot he was such a friendly person an he loved big red football. To his family sorry for your loss.

• 09/03/2024

  Megan Whiteleather

  Rest With God, Frankie. You will be missed. You're smile. You're laugh. You're personality. It was a pleasure to get to know you and take care of you. You have touched many lives.

• 09/03/2024

  Mike Mehalik

  I worked for the DD Board and have known Frankie for over 40 years. The staff would play our Special Olympic basketball team every year. I will always remember the time that I went up for a shot only to have Frankie block the shot right off my nose. I thought my nose was broke for sure! He was some player and a great guy. He will be missed. RIP

• 09/03/2024

  Mike Abernethy

  I have known you my whole life. I haven't seen you for years but I can clearly hear your voice in my memories.  I will miss you.   RIP my friend

• 09/03/2024

  Lisa

  Rest in piece Frankie you will be sadly missed. No matter how long it would be you always remembered me and would stop and talk. You had a unforgettable smile. God Bless you and your family.

• 09/03/2024

  Charesha

  I worked at Fort Steuben Mall. Frankie would walk around the mall almost everyday. I can hear his voice clear as day " How yooou" with that big smile.. He will be missed. Prayers to the family

• 09/03/2024

  Becky Panebianco

  I've known you since forever, growing up on PH and you'd come to Fox's Pizza to chat.  Later, anytime we saw each other, you would give a huge smile, wave and say hello.  He always remembered my name, even after so many years passed without seeing each other!  You were one of the most kind people I have ever known.  RIP, dear Frankie. Your smile, laughter and true joy will be so missed.  

• 09/03/2024

  Vincent Rinaldi

  Rest In Peace Frankie! You never passed by me on PH without giving me the biggest smile and the warmest hello. When I moved from Steubenville and would come home to visit my family, you would always stop by the house when you saw my car. I always looked forward to that visit. You heart was one of the most genuine and sincere hearts I have ever met in my lifetime. I will forever miss you my friend, I hope you know how loved your were!

• 09/03/2024

  Michael Zinno

  On behalf of the entire Jefferson County Board of DD community I offer our condolences.  May he rest in peace.  We are thankful for his many years of work, athletics and fond memories.  He was always a joy to be around and his basketball career is legendary.

• 09/03/2024

  Kathy Coldebella

  Always had a smile on your face and available for a chat! If I saw you and I was having a bad day it automatically turned into a good day.❤️ Godspeed!

• 09/03/2024

  Rob Bissell

  Dear Backel Family, I didn't really know Frank but a few times riding the bus and he was always happy and treated everyone like his best friend. Please accept my Condolences and thoughts and prayers during this time.

• 09/03/2024

  Leanne M Benton

  Frankie was definitely one of a kind!! He brought joy to so many who worked at the mall !! Sending my thoughts to his family and friends during this difficult time!!

• 09/03/2024

  Shawn R Conaway

  Frankie was the most kindhearted soul I have ever met . His smile could light up a room . He certainly left his loving mark on Steubenville. His memory will definitely live on .

• 09/03/2024

  David B Shimko

  Frankie touched the hearts of many. We had a lot of memories together growing up as kids, seeing Frankie at the mall and at football games in Harding Stadium. His smile brought happiness to all. Judy and Robbie, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

• 09/03/2024

  Ed Takach

  Good old Frank.  Always a pleasure to run into.  Always smiled.  Will miss him at the Big Red games.

• 09/03/2024

  Todd Blackburn

  Great guy loved playing basketball 🏀 with him as a kid at PH, him and Roy(tiny)wilson.Frank was always happy to see us kids on PHat football g ames or riding our bikes.prayers buddy

• 09/03/2024

  Luanne Carroll

  I loved Frankie's zest for life. His smile was life! I'm so happy I got to know Frankie! May he rest with God ♥️♥️

• 09/03/2024

  Joe Mastroianni

  I remember Frankie well from the old P.H. days and shooting baskets with him at Murphy's, he was one of the nicest people I've ever met always had a smile a handshake and a kind word. Rest in peace Frankie you will be missed.

• 09/03/2024

  sherry.kelley

  He was a nice guy to talk to at the states in bocce ball he new me very well   . Love you frank . I will miss you . You will be in heaven . God will make you better again.

• 09/03/2024

  Mary

  I first knew Frankie from working in the pharmacy downtown several years ago. He would always seek me out and give me one of those great bear hugs. I ran into him a few years later in the apartment building where he lived. He had never forgotten me. I was greeted with that bear hug and that unforgettable smile. Frankie was one of a kind. One of the best! If everyone was like Frankie, this world would be a much better place. R.I.P. my friend. 

• 09/03/2024

  Joyce

  Frank was a regular customer of the Convenient Store on Market St years ago when I worked there - a very dear man who always had a smile on his face ! He always remembered me with a big hello  when I would see him around town !God Bless ! 

• 09/03/2024

  STNA from Carriage inn of Steubenville

  We love you so much Frankie! You're gonna be missed by so many!

• 09/03/2024

  Tammy Cain

  Frankie was such a great guy! He loved playing basketball. He loved talking to all the staff at the mall. It was a joy to have been part of his life.

• 09/03/2024

  John Sandonas

  Frank was a great and loving person. Anytime I seen him on Pleasant Heights, he would always have a smile on his face and always said "HI" and waved. He will truly be missed. God bless and Rest In Peace buddy.

• 09/03/2024

  LeighAnn Davis Johnson

  I'm so sorry Judy and family. My favorite memory was him playing basketball at our house against dad. He always asked if Jim could play one more game before dinner!! God bless him.

• 09/03/2024

  Jennifer Weaver Harvey

  Frankie was such a sweet soul...I grew up knowing him living across the street from my grandparents and he always said hi...would wave and ask how I was doing with a big smile...the world needs more Frankies...he will be missed❤️

• 09/03/2024

  Annette Petrella

   A lot of great memories Frankie you and your smile will be missed.  May you RIP, and my condolences to his family.

• 09/03/2024

  Mary Jeter

  Frank was a gentle person. I loved his smile. Rest with God now.

• 09/03/2024

  Tammy Allietta

  Judi,Thoughts and prayers ate with you. It always made my day hearing Frankie  yelling "Hi Tammy" down the street,then as we got older when I would see him at the mall. He was truly a blessing and always made me smile. Rest in Peace Frankie. Love,Tammy(Martin)Allietta

• 09/03/2024

  Ron Slivka

  Frankie will always be in our memories as a PH legend!  Generations grew up with that beautiful smile, the gentle greeting.  Know that Frankie was always part of our families as well as yours, was loved, and will be both missed and remembered in our lives.

• 

  09/03/2024

  Prime Time Senior Citizen Center, Steubenville, Ohio
• 09/03/2024

  Kate and Rick Saver

  Cousin Frankie was always a bright light every time we saw him his smile was genuine and he knew he was really glad to see you blessings to you Judy and Robbie and peace on the loss of your brother we know he is with your mom and dad forever looking down on us now you will see him again

• 09/03/2024

  Mary Kay Schuetz

  So sorry for your loss. Frank will always hold a special place in my heart. Basketball was his first love. We played unify bocce and he was always the better partner than me. RIP Frankie 

• 09/03/2024

  Randy Rushing

  I worked as an instructor in the Jeffco workshop back in the late 70's  and Frankie was one of my crew . Yes , he was a good basketball player but most of all , a very nice guy , always grinning and kidding around with you . My condolences to his family and friends.

• 09/03/2024

  Karen Fonow

  He was usually always smiling.  Always happy to see me...loved his tennis shoes!...and he loved Tootsie Roll Pops....

• 09/03/2024

  Rich Pizzoferrato

  Rest In Peace my friend

• 09/03/2024

  Ed Nolan

  Rest In Peace Frankie. Frank was a client of mine when I worked at his residence on Pleasant Heights. I knew Frank before that growing up on the hill.Whenever I went back home to attend Big Red Football games Frank would see me and come up to say hello and ask about my kids. I'll miss you Frankie.🙏❤️

• 09/03/2024

  Annette Harless

  RIP Frankie. I'll always remember your huge smile and zest for life. And that cheeky personality always made me smile.

• 09/03/2024

  Debbie Chichick

  Frankie had a smile that would light up the entire room.  I know him from special Olympics.  He was such a sweetheart and will be truly missed.  Rest with God now Frankie,  love you bunches and will miss you terribly. 

• 09/03/2024

  Trish

  I worked with Frankie's Mom at Woolworth's. Since then every time I was at the mall or out somewhere he would also make a point to say hi wave and smile. So sorry to hear of his passing. RIP and prayers for his family members!