Obituary of Frank W. Roessner III

Frank William Roessner III, 75, devoted husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully in his home in Binghamton, NY on June 14, 2025. He was predeceased by his parents, Philip and Louise Roessner; his brother, Philip; and his infant sister, Catherine. He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Susan; sons Erik (Meredith), Ryan (Katie) and Stephen (Noelle); his grandchildren Gwenyth, Ethan, and Quinn; his sister, Nancy Schmeltz; brothers Jim and Greg; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is also survived by Susan's family, his friends Joseph and Laurie Castagnolo and Caroline Castagnolo and Martin Duttry - thanks for the good times! Frank was born in Clearfield, PA on July 7, 1949. He graduated from Clearfield High School in 1967 and played basketball for the Bison. In 1968, he entered into his lifelong love of journalism as a sports writer for the Clearfield Progress. Frank soon became well-known in town for his running column, 'Frankly Speaking.' In September of 1974, he relocated to Binghamton as a sports writer for the Binghamton Evening Press. For the next 38 years working for the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, Frank would hold many positions, including Sports Editor, Assistant Managing Editor, Metro Editor, Editorial Page Editor, and Columnist until his retirement in November 2012. He won numerous state and national writing awards throughout his tenure and enjoyed interviews and conversations with many personalities and figures, including Muhammad Ali, Mickey Mantle, Joe Paterno, Franco Harris, Johnny Hart, Sen. Mario Cuomo, Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Frank enjoyed the camaraderie of the press room and the professional company of his colleagues. Frank also enjoyed teaching and working with young people. He was an adjunct lecturer for the English Rhetoric Department at (SUNY) Binghamton University for 28 years, teaching classes on Journalism, Sports Writing, and Editorial Page (Opinion) Writing. He loved baseball and was an assistant coach and scorekeeper for several Little League/Senior League baseball teams and coached his own team (Binghamton Savings Bank) for a time. In retirement, he enjoyed working as an usher at the Binghamton Veterans' Memorial Arena and stood guard over the zamboni on hockey nights. Frank was an active member of St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Binghamton, NY. He was a member of the Holy Name Society and volunteered as an altar server for funeral masses. He also loved keeping the scorebook for St. Thomas CYO basketball games in the parish gym. Frank loved many things: family vacations, watching his sons play sports, reading, music, the Beatles, Pittsburgh sports teams and all things Penn State, jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, trivia night at church, visits to the casino, photography, comic books, a juicy hamburger, going to the movies - especially Marx Brothers movies or any movie that had James Cagney in it - and he cherished being 'Grandpa' to his three grandchildren. The family would like to thank Guthrie/Lourdes Hospice for their compassionate care. A Funeral Mass will offered at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Highland Avenue, Binghamton, Thursday June 19, 2025 at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Wednesday June 18, 2025 from 3 to 6 p.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Clearfield, PA on Saturday June 21, 2025 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Frank's honor to either Your Home Public Library, 107 Main Street, Johnson City, NY 13790, the St. Thomas Aquinas CYO, 1 Aquinas Street, Binghamton, NY 13905 or to Guthrie/Lourdes Hospice, 4102 Old Vestal Road, Vestal, NY 13850. Frank truly loved his family and loved writing. He will be missed dearly. He requested that his obituary ended the way each 'Frankly Speaking' column would, with his favorite word: "Peace"