Frank Guaracini Sr., a successful business man and lifelong resident of Vineland, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, May 31.
Mr. Guaracini was born on May 19, 1918 in Vineland to Giuseppe “Joseph” and Maria “Mary” (DeMartino) Guaracini and recently happily celebrated his 93rd birthday with his whole family present.
Mr. Guaracini attended the Minotola Public School and studied at the Wharton Business School, which prepared him for the grocery and marketing business.
His parents, Joseph and Mary Guaracini, immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1905. They conducted their marketing business from their home and transported their merchandise by horse and wagon for many years.
In 1927, Mr. Guaracini’s parents built a new market bearing the family’s name “Guaracini’s Market.” In 1948, the size of the store increased and the family moved the business to a much larger building on Wheat Road. Later the business became known under the Shop Rite name.
In 1963, Mr. Guaracini and his family opened the ShopRite store on Delsea Drive in Vineland. In 1978, the Landis ShopRite Shopping Center was opened on Lincoln and Landis Avenue in Vineland.
Mr. Guaracini also owned the Buena Vista Country Club from 1977-80; three hotels in Florida and various other business and real estate holdings including Frank’s Realty Co., Landis and Delsea ShopRites and Shop Rite Liquors in Vineland.
A statement from the family announcing Mr. Guaracini’s death emphasized his character more than his many successes in business: “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.”
Mr. Guaracini supported and encouraged many organizations, churches, schools and charities, and he received numerous citations, awards and commendations. He was among the first group of recipients for the Italian Heritage Spirit of Achievement Award and he received the Gregor Mendel Award from St. Augustine Preparatory School, Richland, in 1978.
Mr. Guaracini enjoyed golfing, gardening, landscaping, spending time with family and friends, going out to eat, and spending the winter months in Florida, most recently in his home in Boca Raton.
Mr. Guaracini is survived by son, Joseph Guaracini: daughter and son-in-law, Joan Loretta and Joseph Marandino; son and daughter-in-law, Deacon Frank & Elizabeth (Vastano) Guaracini Jr.; companion, Elloree Channels; granddaughter and husband, Loretta and Steven LaPorta; granddaughter and friend, Sophia Marandino and Mike Laun; grandson, Frank Guaracini III; grandson and friend, Lawrence Marandino and Renee Cerione; granddaughters, Constance and Victoria Guaracini; great-grandchildren, Robert, Sophia and Christopher LaPorta; three sisters-in-law, Marie Albano, Joanne Guaracini and Frances Vingi; many nieces and nephews. Mr. Guaracini is predeceased by his wife of 59 years Josephine (Tuso) Guaracini in 2001; daughter Maryann Guaracini; brothers Salvatore, Louis and Joseph Guaracini; and sisters and their husbands; Louise and Walter Slusarczyk; Theresa and George Geri; Mary and Gino Pagano and Rose and Graziano Rossi
Funeral home visitations will be held on Friday, June 3, 6-9 p.m., and Saturday 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, June 4, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 1010 East Landis Avenue, Vineland. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineland.
Donations in Mr. Guaracini’s memory can be made to:
— Sacred Heart Church, 1010 East Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360-4096
— Queen Of Angels Parish, Church of Our Lady of Victories, 202 NW Boulevard, Landisville, NJ 08326-1102
— St. Isidore The Farmer Church, 1655 Magnolia Road, Vineland, NJ 08361-6598
St. Augustine Preparatory School, Development Fund, 611 Cedar Ave., Richland, NJ 08350
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