Frank E. Lucchesi, of Southampton, and longtime resident of Holyoke, died suddenly Saturday, September 29. He was 56 years old. He leaves his beloved wife, Frances Crisafulli, a beloved brother, Richard J. Lucchesi and sister-in-law, Teresa Utt, of Southampton and his father, Frank C. Lucchesi, of Westerly, R. I. He was predeceased by his mother, Evelyn Frenier Lucchesi. He also leaves his sisters-in-law Ann Crisafulli and Nancy Pochan of Lamoine, ME and Linda King, and her husband Sam, of Dedham, MA, and his nephews, Richard J. Lucchesi Jr., of Boulder, CO, Michael C. Meyer and Erik J. Meyer, and niece, Katrina Meyer, all of Boston.

Frank was renowned as a repairer and restorer of vintage stringed instruments, and the owner of Lucchesi Vintage Instruments in Easthampton. His knowledge, love and respect for the guitars, mandolins, and banjos he worked with made him nationally recognized in his specialized field. The instruments of many locally and nationally known musicians have been touched by his capable hands. It has been said that Frank had no customers, only friends. Frank formerly owned Pizzitola Music Studios and Sound Guitar Co. in Holyoke. He attended Holyoke Catholic, graduated from Tabor Academy, Marion, Ma. and attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, R.I . He was a graduate of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Arizona where he also taught. While at Tabor, Frank was a 3-sport athlete, excelling in lacrosse, and later coached lacrosse at Williston Northampton. Frank was an avid fisherman, spending many summer weekends fishing along the Rhode Island shore.

He was a gentle soul blessed with a wonderful sense of humor, a love of nature, and a gift for story telling. Frank leaves his many cousins who loved him and whose company he so enjoyed, as well as too many friends and associates to count, but most particularly Shane Loiselle, Alex Gray, and Joe Singleton who together intend to keep his legacy alive through Lucchesi Vintage Instruments, and Ron Midgett of Easthampton Violin, his partner in Luthier’s Co-Op. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

 Frank Lucchesi passed away unexpectedly on Saturday morning, September 29,2007. A scholarship fund in memory of our founder and friend has been established for students of the music or the craft of the guitar.