In Memory – A Lifetime of Achievement Commendatore Frank J DeSantis

The Supreme Lodge is saddened to announce the passing of a valued and dedicated OSIA member, Frank J DeSantis, on April 25, 2020. Unable to attend meetings this past year due to COPD and declining heart function he leaves a generous legacy of student scholarships, many Italian cultural and heritage events and the permanent tribute to the Italian American community in Orange County, the Columbus Monument at Bowers Museum among other lasting and magnanimous achievements for the benefit of all interested. His passion for advancement and heritage legacy will be felt far into the future, as he wished! The Supreme Lodge Awarded him the prestigious Guglielmo Marconi Award, OSIA’s highest honor for his decades of commitment and service to OSIA and the Italian community. Bravo Frank!

An amazingly talented and magnanimous businessman, the OSIA was blessed to have his influence and skills all these years! When Frank became a member of the Orders Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) in 1972 his strong leadership abilities garnered him much attention throughout the United States as well as in California. His election to President of the State’s Grand Lodge of California in 1989 led to a two-year term as the National President in 1997 where Frank effectively led the 500,000 member OSIA to become a more viable and visible organization. As a fund raiser he successfully obtained three (3) $100,000 scholarships and additional funding for the national foundation.

In 1982 he attended a conference and was a presenter in Rome entitled the “Lingua and Cultura Italiano” sponsored by the Italian government and served on its organizing committee.

Always the innovator, he generated and expanded the focus of American Italians in Orange County by co-founding the prestigious Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation in 1981. This organization promotes cultural, heritage and language programs. From 1972 – 2007 he devoted much time to the entire setup and organization of the City of Orange Annual Street Fair pizza booth “Italian Street” every Labor Day weekend to raise money for the Renaissance Lodge and Renaissance Foundation.

Through this successful Street Fair fundraising and many others efforts money was raised and $250,000 was donated to the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Ana, CA, which also serves as beautiful, practical multi-purpose event site for the Orders Sons of Italy Renaissance Lodge and OCAIRF. At the same time in 1992 for the Columbus Quincentennary, as Orange County appointed Quincentennary Chairman, he raised the funds needed to install an artist-commissioned bronze bust of Christopher Columbus in the museum courtyard where annual Columbus Day civic celebrations are held. As OSIA National Quincentennary Chairman he assisted in the formation of “In Italiano” a PBS TV language program with Coastline University.

In 2003 some of the funds raised were used for the purchase of the first Italian Cultural Center in Orange County which was located at a new development in Santa Ana called the Artist’s Walk. It was enjoyed for several years until the space became too small and the building was sold.

From 1996 to 2003 he served on the California Italian- American Task Force appointed by the Governor of California, Pete Wilson.

In 1997 at the request of Gerlando Butti, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles, he prevented an effort to shut down the Italian program at California State University Long Beach. As chairman of a committee representing the entire southern California community including representatives of OSIA, UNICO, NIAF and community leaders to assist in this fundraising with the blessing of the Italian Consulate at the time, Gabriella Marinella Batistella, who served as honorary chair, Frank was successful in raising over $250,000 of the $500,000 needed which was to be matched by the school. With a commitment $150,000 from George L. Graziadio he was able to have the chair named after the late Mr. Graziadio and today it carries his name. Subsequently an additional $500,000 gift from Mr. Graziadio was obtained for program needs and also matched by the university thus ensuring its viability and continuance. Today a total of 400 students participate in this program. Numerous scholarships were also made available to the school by Frank through the Sons of Italy.

For his outstanding efforts on behalf of the Italian community Frank was presented with the Order of Merit of Cavalieri in 1985 by the Italian government and the OrOrder of Merit of Commendatore. In 2005 he was elected as a director of the American Society of Italian Legions of Merit. He is an honorary member of the Italian Hall Museum Board of Los Angeles. He also received the “Targa Dora” Civic Award from the Region of Puglia.

He is a past member of the Board of Governors for the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Ana where he serves as president of the Italian Cultural Arts Council (ICAC) organizing and providing Italian cultural programs, the official Columbus Day celebration, Italian films and exhibits from Italy for the Orange County community. He is the President Emeritus and Chief Administrative Officer of the Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation.

Together Frank and Eileen made many friends and enjoyed the meetings and events. Frank just would NOT retire. His influence could be felt by all who knew him. Frank will be forever remembered and missed, we extend our condolences to the entire DeSantis Family and the friends who admired him and could count on him for support of any kind to the finish.