Obituary of Frank Guaracini

Frank Guaracini Sr. passed away peacefuuly at his home on Tuesday, May 31, 2011. Frank was born on May 19, 1918 in Vineland to Giuseppe "Joseph" and Maria "Mary" (DeMartino) Guaracini and just recently very happily celebrated his 93rd birthday with his whole family present. Frank, a lifelong resident of Vineland, attended the Minotola Public School and studied at the Wharton Business School, which prepared him for the grocery and marketing business. His parents Joseph & Mary Guaracini, immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1905. They conductedtheir marketing business from their home and transported their merchandise by horse and wagon fro many years. In 1927 , Frank's parents took their first big step in business by building a new market bearing the family's name "Guaracini's Market". In 1948, the size of the store incresed and the family moved the business to a much larger building close by on Wheat Road. Later the business became known under Shop Rite name. In 1963, Frank and his family opened the Shop Rite store on Delsea Drive in Vineland. In October of 1978, the Landis Shop Rite Shopping Center was opened on Lincoln And Landis Avenueus in Vineland. Frank also owned the Buena Vista Country Club from 1977-1980. He also owned three hotels in Florida and various other business and real estate holdings including Frank's Realty Co., Landis and Delsea Shop Rites and Shop Rite Liquors in Vineland. Frank always stood for something more than a successful businessman. He represented the values of respect and love for family, generosity, and hard work. He always demonstrated great friendship, kindness , compassion and giving of his own time for his family, extended family, neighbors, employees and many friends. He always thought of others before himself. Giving of himself and sharing all that he had to help others was his passion. Throughtout the years, Frank generously supported and encouraged countless organizations, churches, scholls and charities. Frank received numerous citions, awards and commendations duringhis lifetime including being in the first group of recipients for the Italian Heritage Spirit of Achievement Award including the New Jersey General Assembly Resolution and a write-up in the Congressional Record in 1988 and the Gregor Mendel Award from St. Augustine Prep School in 1978. Frank enjoyed golfing, gardening, landscaping, spending time with family and his numerous friends, and going out to eat. He loved and always looked forward to spending the winter months in Florida, most recently in his home in Boca Raton with many friends and family.