Francis ‘Frank’ Camelo

He graduated from Holy Ghost Academy and shortly thereafter enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving in the Korean Conflict. While enlisted, Frank served in the communications division but also was a drummer in numerous Air Force sponsored ensemble including a quartet that was awarded the prize for the best United States Service quartet on the Asian continent. After discharge, he continued as a member of the Air Force Reserves for twelve years.

After returning home, Frank began working at Sunmount DDSO in 1955, until retirement in 1992. Upon retiring from Sunmount, Frank felt he needed to continue to be active and began working with Saranac Lake Central Schools in a variety of capacities, retiring again in 2020 at the age of 90. The 2018 volume of the Saranac Lake High School yearbook was dedicated to him.

He married Evelyn M. (Peer) Camelo Sept. 14, 1957, at St Bernard’s Catholic Church in Saranac Lake. Frank and Evelyn were the proud parents of three sons Gerry, Pete and Jim.

Extremely gregarious and civic minded, Frank was an active participant in numerous community organizations.

As a member of St. Bernard’s parish, he was altar server, greeter and usher, and was a long-time member of Knights of Columbus Council 599. Frank was also a member and officer of Elks Lodge 1508, VFW Post 3357, and the American Legion Post 1618. Frank served as King of the Winter Carnival in 2010 and traveled to Washington D.C. on an Honor Flight arranged for veterans in September 2018. In recent years, he was a frequent visitor and volunteer at the Saranac Lake Adult Center. He also shared his musical talents as a drummer with many local organizations. Although he could not read music and had no formal musical training, Frank played drums for over 80 years in a variety of bands and ensembles, and continued to do so up until a few months prior to passing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Dominick Jr. and Florentine Camelo, his wife of 49 years Evelyn and daughter-in-law Elizabeth (Ebie) Camelo. Frank is survived by his sons and their families: Gerard “Gerry” Camelo and Sheryl Gravelle-Camelo, parents of Richard Nong Earth and Avalon of Franklin, North Carolina, Pete Camelo and his children Luke, Ellie Sims and Jack of Simpsonville, South Carolina and Jim and Lori Camelo and their children Marcy Hueston and Austin of Sarasota, Flordia. He also is survived by several nieces and nephews and countless friends. In his many years, Frank never met a stranger.

The family is being served by Fortune-Keough Funeral Home of Saranac Lake. There will be no calling hours, but a funeral mass honoring Frank’s life and legacy will be held at a later date at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.

Memorial donations may be sent to either St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 27 St. Bernard St., Saranac Lake or Saranac Lake Adult Center, 136 Broadway Saranac Lake. Family and friends can also share their condolences and memories at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.