Retired Palm Bay Police Detective Frank Ciccone Gone But Not Forgotten
By Space Coast Daily // November 21, 2015
PASSED AWAY NOV. 3
The Frank J Ciccone family welcomes all friends and colleagues to join in remembering Ciccone’s legacy at 2 p.m. on Saturday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, located at 5330 Babcock Street NE. in Palm Bay.
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The City of Palm Bay tragically lost a friend, a colleague, an advocate and so much more on Nov. 3. Frank J Ciccone, 68, retired detective of the City of Palm Bay Police Department, passed away after becoming involved in an auto accident that left him in critical condition.
Ciccone was best remembered for his commitment to educating the community and working to keep the youth off of the street.
Dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the youth, Ciccone helped lead the Police Athlete League, P.A.L, a not-for-profit organization devoted to the social development of the youth.
“Frank was a great person and law enforcement professional who earned my respect from the first day I met him,” said Andy Anderson, City of Palm Bay Economic Development Director.
“I am honored that I had the opportunity to become his friend during my tenure on Palm Bay City Council.”
Ciccone played an integral role in Palm Bay Police Explorers, a program whose mission is to develop positive relationship between youth and police.
“In order for change to occur, you have to be willing to move forward,” said April McHale, daughter of Ciccone, as she recalled the countless lessons her father taught her since adolescence.
It was this same life lesson that Ciccone worked to instill in the lives of those affected by domestic violence. As a member of Victims Services Unit, he worked diligently to empower women and men by educating them on their rights.
A man of many talents, Ciccone was also a part of the Crisis Negotiation Team, CNT, in which he persuaded people who were threatening violence into finding more peaceful solutions.
“Frank was a wise, down-to-earth man who had a way with words,” said Palm Bay Officer Mark Gensiejewski. “When he talked, people listened.”
Gensiejewski’s father worked with Ciccone when he was a teenager and, later found himself working alongside the men who helped to inspire him as a teen.
“I send my condolences to Frank’s family,” said Mayor William Capote.
“While I did not have the opportunity to meet him personally, his loss is felt greatly throughout the City of Palm Bay.”
Ciccone is survived by his wife, Brenda Miranda; his four children, Dominique Ciccone, Jennifer Farrow, Frankie Ciccone, and April McHale; grandchildren Bradley, Audrey; Leonardo, Sophia, Juliana, and Izabella; and four brothers Tony, Joe, James, and Tom.
His family welcomes all friends and colleagues to join in remembering Ciccone’s legacy at 2 p.m. on Saturday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, located at 5330 Babcock Street NE. in Palm Bay. Following the funeral, an open reception will be held at the Italian American Club of South Brevard, located 1471 Cypress Avenue in Melbourne.
ABOVE MAP: The Frank J Ciccone family welcomes all friends and colleagues to join in remembering Ciccone’s legacy at 2 p.m. on Saturday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, located at 5330 Babcock Street NE. in Palm Bay.
