Francis Arthur Charles Filardi, age 78, of Roswell, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, April 3rd 2018. He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Ann Filardi; his daughters, Teresa Lazzaroni of Roswell, GA; Nancy Predatsch (Jeff Joy) of Cape Coral, FL; and Shirley Amitrano of Brentwood, TN; his grandchildren, Deanna Pate (Jason) of San Francisco, CA; Danny Lazzaroni (Tracey Dahlen) of Roswell, GA; Craig Predatsch (Hannah Plimack) of Brooklyn, NY; Niko Amitrano of Brentwood, TN; and his brother, Blaise Filardi of Fort Myers, FL. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Mr. Filardi was preceded in death by his mother, Kathryn Wood Filardi and his father, Blaise Filardi; his brother, Robert Filardi; and his son-in-law, Robert Amitrano. A native of Peekskill N.Y., Mr. Filardi was more commonly known as Fran, Frank, Bucko and, most affectionately, Opa by his family and friends. He grew up in Yonkers where he raised pigeons on the roof of his apartment building. At 15 years old, he was smitten by an adorable teenager named Shirley Castaldo who became the love of his life and his wife of 58 years. He enjoyed taking flying lessons as a teenager, flying solo and scaring everyone from the airways in Westchester County. At 17, he began his career with IBM before enlisting in the United States Air Force where he graduated with honors and was first in his class at ENT Air Force Base NCO Preparatory School in Colorado, serving his country during the Vietnam War as an aircraft mechanic. Three children and four years later, he left the Air Force and returned to IBM in New York where he started in the mailroom and worked his way up to Systems Analyst (self-taught) and manager. He enjoyed a 34-year career until his retirement and transfer to Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Filardi was an avid supporter and regular Santa at the Cardinal Hayes Home for Children in Millbrook, New York for many years and never missed an opportunity to show his love for all holidays with his family and friends. He was a WWI and WWII history buff who had an affinity for flying planes both real and remote. He had a love of dark chocolate nonpareils and classic movies especially Casablanca. He was our husband, father, grandfather, our softball, baseball and basketball coach, and fireworks pyromaniac extraordinaire. His life centered around his family. He will be dearly missed but forever in our hearts. In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions in Mr. Filardi’s name to Disabled American Veterans, 995 Roswell St. NE Marietta, GA 30060 or at DAV.org A Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 AM Tuesday, April 10th, 2018 at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, Roswell, GA and internment will follow at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton GA.
