By Jerry Vondas

Published: Thursday, January 24, 2013, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Thursday, January 24, 2013

Frank Canova was born to Italian immigrants, but he loved the large Irish family he married into.

“Dad's important accomplishment, he'd often say, was marrying into an Irish family with a dynamic wife who helped him raise five successful children,” said his daughter, Karen Canova of Silver Spring, Md. “We attended the St. Patrick's Day parades, and mom served us corned beef and cabbages.”

Frank Baptist Canova of St. Louis, formerly of Mt. Lebanon, died on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. He was 86.

Born in Dravosburg to John B. and Annetta Gurgosalici Canova, who were originally from Biella, Italy, Mr. Canova graduated from St. Peter High School in McKeesport in 1943.

He enlisted in the Army and served as a communications chief with the 321st Infantry Regiment during World War II, where he fought in the Battle of Peleliu. After his discharge, Mr. Canova married Margaret Rose Scanlon in 1949.

He worked in his family's Canova Brothers grocery store in McKeesport, the Pepperidge Farms Bread Co. and then joined Prudential Insurance Co., where he worked as a broker and manager in the South Hills.

“But what really endeared my father to many was his ability to interact with all generations,” his daughter said. “Our classmates in school liked him, as did the men and women he socialized with and, most important, his Prudential clients, who appreciated his honesty and concern for their well-being.

“His only regret was not taking advantage of the GI Bill and getting a college education.”

In addition to his daughter, Karen, Mr. Canova is survived by his children, Diane M. Canova of Arlington, Va., Frank R. Canova of Waterloo, Ill., Thomas J. Canova of Springfield, Pa., and Maureen Canova-Potts of St. Louis; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Margaret; his sister, Mary Canova; and brothers, John P. and Louis (Gino) Canova.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in Beinhauer Funeral Home, 2630 W. Liberty Ave. in Dormont. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Bernard Church in Mt. Lebanon.

Interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Peters.

Jerry Vondas is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7823 or jvondas@tribweb.com.

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