Former steelworker enjoyed life, 'didn't waste a day'
Francis Rende of Pittsburgh's Hazelwood section liked to entertain, and he was a real charmer who moved people with his music and left the whole room reeling with his quick wit and mischievous smile.
Mr. Rende, a multitalented man, started his band, the Four Aces, with his brothers more than 30 years ago.
Francis J. "Fran" Rende died Saturday, Dec. 14, 2002, of complications from open heart surgery. He was 75.
Mr. Rende toiled in the steel mills and raised a strong family. He even found time to sell Pittsburgh Pirates tickets and volunteer on political campaigns. He was a constant companion to his wife, Dolores "Dolly" Rende, for more than 50 years.
"Music was important in our house," said Mr. Rende's daughter, Marlene Cassidy. "All of his children and many of his grandchildren play musical instruments. And he and my mom were so comical. Some people thought they were a comedy team the way they carried on."
The Rendes raised four children, three of whom work for the city of Pittsburgh. Cassidy is an administrative assistant for city Councilman Bob O'Connor, Frank Rende is a police officer and Cheryl Hannan is a city crossing guard. The Rendes' other son is John Rende.
Born in Hazelwood, Fran Rende worked in the steel mills for more than 30 years and retired when LTV shut down its furnaces. He also worked for J&L Steel. He spent the last 30 years selling tickets in the Pittsburgh Pirates ticket office.
While serving with the Navy during World War II, Mr. Rende worked as a teletype operator, sending secret messages from his base in San Diego to ships at sea.
He met his wife, the former Dolores Guszynski, in July 1951 while playing music in a Lawrenceville club. They fell in love at first sight and Rende romanced "Dolly" till the day he died, Cassidy said. The couple married on July 12, 1952.
"For 50 years they were never apart," Cassidy said. "They were honestly happy and devoted to each other."
Cassidy remembers her father as "dapper."
"His shoes were always shined and his hair always cut," she said. "He liked to drive his Cadillac and listen to Frank Sinatra."
O'Connor remembers Rende as a hard worker who put his family first and wouldn't leave the city for a million dollars.
"He had so much personality," O'Connor said. "He always had us in stitches. He enjoyed life and didn't waste a day."
Mr. Rende is survived by his wife, Dolores "Dolly" R. Guszynski Rende; two daughters, Cheryl Hannan and Marlene Cassidy; two sons, Frank and John Rende; three brothers, Samuel, Joseph and Anthony Rende; one sister, Theresa Mastriano; and 10 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Lucille Alexandroff.
Visitation is from noon to 8 p.m. today and Tuesday at the John A. Freyvogel Sons Inc. funeral home, 4900 Centre Ave. at Devonshire Street in Pittsburgh's Oakland section. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Stephen's Church, Second Avenue, Hazelwood.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Hazelwood-Greenfield.
