‘Hope’ Was His Message to Us All
By Tom Kane
Brooklyn Eagle
Dennis James Larkin, Jr., during his Salutatory speech at the Xaverian High School graduation ceremony on June 7, touched upon many topics. One of those topics was Francesco Anthony Loccisano, his long-time friend who he called “Frankie,” who was taken from this world far too early due to bone cancer and leukemia.
Larkin spoke of Xaverian being more than just a school, and of Francesco’s heart and of his own hope. “Frankie was just amazing,” said Larkin of the friend he had known since kindergarten. “Frankie always had a great sense of humor, even at the very end. He was the most caring person I have ever met.”
These words of praise were coming from a winner of a Kassenbrook Brothers Memorial Scholarship. The award is given annually to high school seniors bound for college and is based on community service. Larkin was one of the top winners and will be attending St. John’s University on an honors scholarship in the fall.
Francesco’s mom Camille Loccisano, along with her son, Christopher, have put together a wonderful tribute to Francesco on a web site entitled francesco-loccisano.memory-of.com. “It was a true labor of love. He brought nothing but joy and happiness into the lives of all those around him,” said his mom.
They have also set up a foundation in Francesco’s name to raise awareness and make a difference. This was his wish and what he dedicated his final years to accomplish. Throughout his journey, Francesco spoke of his plans for a future that involved helping others. He told his family that when he recovered from cancer, he would start his own foundation in order to make a significant difference in the lives of children diagnosed with this terrible illness.
During the graduation ceremony, Francesco’s name was mentioned numerous times and when Xaverian President Dr. Salvatore Ferrera presented his diploma to his mom she accepted it with pride to a standing ovation at Brooklyn College’s Whitman Hall.
Francesco was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in July of 2005. He fought a long and hard battle against this illness for 27 months. Along the way, Francesco learned many life lessons, especially about the hardships of humanity. These particular lessons caused him to show tremendous compassion for those who were less fortunate than he. Through his own difficult time, he remained hopeful as well as prayerful.
Francesco Anthony Loccisano died during the very beginning of his senior year at Xaverian, on September 14, 2007.
On Monday, June 30, the Francesco Loccisano Foundation will hold its first golf outing at Dyker Golf Course, which will benefit childhood cancer research. That was one of Francesco’s passions, to find a cure.
Please call Kevin Breen at (718) 499-7636 to sign up for this wonderful event and help keep Frankie’s dream alive.
© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2008
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