Obituary of Francis "Spitz" A Sparagna

Francis "Spitz"Sparagna, 86, of Millville, peacefully passed away with his wife and children at his bedside on February 10, 2015. A native of Vineland, he graduated from Sacred heart High School where he starred in basketball and baseball. He was named All City Team in basketball, three years in a row and led his team as captain to its best record at the time. He attended St. Joseph's University on an athletic scholarship, where he batted clean up hitter for 4 years of college. He still co-owns the record at St. Joe's for the most runs batted in a single game (8). After a brief stint in the minor leagues, he joined his father and brother in the familys clothing manufacturing business, South Jersey Clothing Inc. and worked until his retirement in 1990. He continued playing sports in the local basketball and baseball leagues. He won several MVP awards, home run titles and local championships in the baseball league. He was inducted into the Greater Vineland Baseball League Hall of Fame. He won several MVP awards and championships in the local basketball league during the same period. He was inducted int othe Sacred Heart High Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010. After he retired from basketball and baseball, he continued playing golf at a high level into his 70's. In 1950 he married Carmela DiTomo to whom he remained married until his death. As an amatuer singer, muscian and actor, he enriched the lives of his wife and children by being more than just an athlete with song and music. As an avid reader with a keen intellect, he wrote opinion pieces for the Catholic Star Herald as well as for some local newspapers including the Daily Journal. He became an entertainment chairman for the Sacred Heart Church and in 1975 and 1976 he raised money by acquiring the Harry James Band and Count Basie Band, respectively. In the late 1970's he created Forum For Awareness and he brought into our community high profile media lumanaries including William F. Buckley Jr, Sam Donaldson, John Dean and Pat Buchanan.