Frank R. Runfola

Frank Runfola, a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, pharmacist, and a man whose life was defined by service, dedication, and quiet strength.

Frank was born in september of 1936 on staten Island, New York, long before the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge ever connected it to the rest of the city. Back then, staten Island still held a rural character, and Frank spent much of his early life on his family's farm. That upbringing stayed with him. It shaped his work ethic, his appreciation for the land, and the steady, grounded way he moved through life.

He carried those values with him as he grew, through his education in the Jesuit system, which helped form his sense of discipline, responsibility, service to others, and his love of Christ. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from Fordham University, and later his Master of Science in hospital pharmacy from St. John's University. These were not just academic accomplishments, they were the foundation for a career that would touch countiess lives.

Frank's journey into pharmacy began humbly. His first job out of high school was at a florist, and soon after, he worked at his Uncle Fred's apothecary, where he learned the craft firsthand. Those early experiences sparked what would become a lifelong calling.

Frank served his country in the United states Army, where he was stationed in Texas training pharmacists before being deployed to Germany. There, he served as a specialist Five in a medical regional unit, already demonstrating the leadership and expertise that would define his career.

In 1962, Frank began working as a staff pharmacist at Good Samaritan Hospital. At the time, the pharmacy was run by nuns. Through dedication, skill, and integrity, Frank rose to become the director of that pharmacy, serving for many years. His leadership wasn't about titles-it was about responsibility, mentorship, and doing things the right way.

But Frank's impact didn't stop within the walls of a hospital. He believed healthcare should reach the community. He helped establish the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Health Center, the Mattituck Family Medicine Center, and the Methadone Maintenance Clinic in Babylon-efforts that provided care and support to people who needed it most.

He was also a founding member of the Long Island Society of Hospital Pharmacists and an active member of the American Society of Health-system Pharmacists, contributing to the advancement of his profession.

Frank was deeply committed to service in all forms. As a chaplain for American Legion Post 1146, he provided comfort, guidance, and support to fellow veterans and their families-another reflection of his quiet compassion and faith.

At home, Frank built a life rooted in family. He was married to his wife Eileen for 51 years-a partnership defined by love, commitment, and shared purpose. Together, they raised four children-John, Tom, Gregory, and Suzanne-and built a family that grew to include six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Frank returned to his roots when he made his home in Bohemia, New York, on an acre of land. There, he brought a piece of staten Island's farm life with him-raising chickens, turkeys, and homing pigeons. He was an avid gardener, tending to a flourishing garden with care and pride, and passing those skills and that love of the land down to his children.

That was Frank's way-he didn't just build things for himself; he built them for others to carry forward.

When we think about Frank's life, it's easy to list his accomplishments-and they are many. But what truly defines him is something deeper: his consistency, his humility, and his unwavering commitment to the people and communities he served.

He showed us what it means to live a life of purpose. To work hard. To give back. To stay grounded in your values. And to take care of the people around you.

His legacy is not only in the institutions he helped build or the profession he advanced-it lives on in his family, in the lessons he taught, and in the lives he touched along the way.

Frank Runfola lived a full and meaningful life. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. And the values, he passed on, in the strength of his family, his presence remains.