Frank J. Albetta

Frank J. Albetta of Hendersonville passed away suddenly March 7, 2014, at home, 11 weeks after the death of his wife of 66 years, Inez N. Albetta.

Frank was born to Italian immigrant parents on May 27, 1914, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the second of five children. His father was a shoemaker and his mother was a seamstress in a garment factory. As a boy, he worked in his father's shop shining shoes. After high school, Frank put himself through Long Island University, graduating with a degree in Romance Languages. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

After the war, Frank joined Westinghouse International, the global marketing branch of the Westinghouse Electric Company. At Westinghouse, Frank met Inez A. Nevy, and they married in 1947. Frank's work in international sales allowed him to employ his facility with foreign languages and involved a great deal of international travel each year, taking him to most of the countries of Europe, Central and South America, North Africa, and much of the Middle and Far East. After nearly four decades with the company, he retired as a Vice President.

After raising their family of three children in Franklin Square and Oyster Bay, N.Y., Frank and Inez moved to Hendersonville in 1990. Frank enjoyed reading, baseball, college basketball, and spending time with his grandchildren. He and Inez traveled abroad regularly well into their eighties. Frank and Inez enjoyed frequent get-togethers and activities with "The Top of the Hill Gang," their wonderful friends and neighbors in Laurel Park.

Frank is survived by his sister, Gilda Ferrante, of Bellrose, N.Y.; his son, Frank, Jr. and daughter-in-law Kathryn Newton of Chapel Hill; daughter Christine of Longmont, Colo.; daughter Gloria and son-in-law Frank Fabens of Seattle, Wash. He also leaves behind five grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church Chapel at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2014, with a reception immediately following. Frank will be laid to rest at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Rd., Flat Rock, N.C. 28731.

Frank's family members extend their thanks to the staffs of Four Seasons Hospice and Compassionate Home Care.

Condolence cards may be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or to PO Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793.