Kenoza Lake resident Francis “Frank” Carbone, a well-known and outgoing individual with a big heart, died at Westchester Medical Center after suffering a stroke on Dec. 7. He was 73.

Frank was a U.S. Army veteran who continuously lobbied for help for former soldiers. He was known on a first-name basis by New York State officials Chuck Schumer and Aileen Gunther and at various veteran agencies.

“This man was larger than life,” said long-time friend Jack Keen, also of Kenoza Lake, “and he’d give you the shirt off his back.”

Both Carbone and Keen grew up in Linden, N.J.  Carbone attended Saints Peter and Paul Church in nearby Elizabeth, N.J. He was raised by his mother.

After receiving his high school diploma, Carbone worked as a diesel mechanic in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany, Amsterdam and Greece from 1966 to 1969. He was also skilled as a butcher and once owned an Electrolux store that sold kitchen appliances in New Jersey.

He was married and divorced.

In the 1980s, Frank moved upstate to Sullivan County and urged friend Jack to do the same. Frank worked in maintenance at a building at 19 Prince St., Monticello. 

Marcel Dixon of Jeffersonville, who met up with Carbone more than 35 years ago, said Frank took him under his wing and they became staunch friends. Frank spoke about the Woodstock festival at which he was a security guard.

“Frank was a guy who would give you the clothes off his back,” said Dixon. “He was always helping somebody if they were in need.”

Frank loved cooking and he cooked constantly, said his friends. “He would cook it and bring it to your house – meatloaf, ribs, you name it,” said Dixon. 

“They don’t make it any better than Frank,” said Dixon. “Without him, I wouldn’t be here where I am now.”

Frank also leaves his very close friends at the Jeffersonville Presbyterian Church on Main Street, and those at Peck’s Market in Jeffersonville.

Frank was cremated. A military service at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty is planned.