Staten Island Grandfather Who Died in 2023 Was a ‘Foundation’ of the Neighborhood. Now He’s Being Honored by the Community

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Family, friends and residents will gather later this month when a street in Sunnyside is renamed in honor of a Staten Island man who died tragically last September.

On September 21 at 11 a.m., Sunnyside Terrace will be renamed “Frank Pompilii Way” in honor of Francesco (Frank) Pompilii, an 81-year-old grandfather who police say was fatally stabbed by a neighbor who caused a disturbance on the block.

A 78-year-old man was left in critical condition and the man’s 51-year-old son was injured during the same attack on September 22, 2023.

Ramazan Ramusevic, 57, of West Brighton, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

A neighbour at the time of his death described Pompilii, who had lived in Sunnyside Terrace for more than 50 years, as “a prominent figure on the street” and said: “It’s a huge loss for everyone.”

According to his son Frank, Pompilii was born in Abruzzo, Italy, and arrived in America via Ellis Island at age 17 as “one of those hard-working immigrants looking to build a life, a family, and opportunities here in the United States.”

He attended Curtis High School and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he received his certification as a garment cutting supervisor.

Working his way up through the garment industry, Pompilii worked as a manufacturing and cutting supervisor for band uniforms at the former Uniforms by Ostwald in New Brighton for 22 years. He later worked for 10 years at Albilt Uniforms in the Bronx as a supervisor in the garment cutting department before retiring.

His son said that although Pompilii came into being at a time when diversity in the workplace was extremely limited, he still managed to help train two of New York City’s first female seamstresses.

“He was always very mesmerized by all the incredible luxuries that we have here in the United States, which many others often take for granted simply because we grew up with them,” Frank said. “But my father always appreciated those things because he came from a very different place and time, and even economic position.”

Frank added that his father not only enjoyed knowing everything that was going on in his community, but he loved serving Staten Island. That service included his 30 years as a member of the Knights of Columbus; his 20 years volunteering at PS 35 in Sunnyside; and, as a devoted parishioner at Blessed Sacrament RC Church in West Brighton for more than 60 years.

“All the neighbors knew my dad; he was extremely well-loved on the block,” Frank said. Having learned to garden in Italy, Pompilii transformed his Sunnyside backyard into a small farm where he grew a variety of vegetables that he personally delivered to his neighbors.

Frank also noted that his father’s funeral had a “rock star” feel, as a long procession of mourners waited three to four hours in the rain to enter Matthew Funeral Home in Willowbrook to pay their respects.

Considered the epitome of a committed family man, Frank explained that after retirement, his father was smart enough to make stock market investments that ended up being profitable enough to cover the college tuition of his six grandchildren years after his death. “He lived for us,” Frank said. “He gave us everything he had.”

“It’s kind of ironic that they’re calling the street ‘Frank Pompilii Way,’” Frank said. “Because my dad certainly had a unique way.”

“You would think it would be impossible to come from his very humble upbringing and have such a huge impact on the world and so many people. It was something special that he had. A very pure intention to connect and love those around him.”