Obituary of Frank V. Maida

Dr. Frank Vincent Maida, 98, passed away on January 16, 2024 in Raleigh, NC. Dr. Maida was born on October 15, 1925 in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania; he was the son of Italian immigrants Emanuele Maida and Francesca Cutaia Maida.

Drafted into the Army at 18, Frank proudly served his country from 1943 to 1945. As a member of WWII’s “Mighty 8th” AirForce, he flew a miraculous 43 daytime missions over enemy-occupied Europe as depicted in the documentary film The Cold Blue.

Despite never completing his high school diploma due to his military service, he got his GED, and utilizing the GI Bill, enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Pharmacy graduating in 1949. In 1950 he married Phyllis Santoriello, of Pittsburgh, PA. He returned to his hometown of Mt. Pleasant where he owned and operated 2 locations of Maida Pharmacy for the next 7 years.

A licensed pharmacist, Frank embarked on his medical career at the University of Rome, Italy in 1957, graduating with a degree in medicine and surgery in 1963. He did his internship at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh. He then practiced in Pittsburgh prior to setting up his own practice of 40 years in his hometown of Mt. Pleasant, PA.

Frank was an avid gardener and hunter, a college football fanatic, particularly concerning his alma mater, The University of Pittsburgh, and a diehard fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He is lovingly survived by his wife of 73 years, Phyllis Santoriello Maida, of Raleigh, NC. Children: Emanuele and (Youvapa) Maida of Beltsville, MD, Frances and (Dale) Martin, of Raleigh, NC, and Andrea Maida and (Joe Knight) of Solana Beach, CA. Grandchildren: Julia and (Bryan) Earnhardt of Raleigh, NC, Phennapa Phetkanpoom, and Mirintra Zubrez, both of Beltsville, MD. Great-Grandchildren: Caroline Earnhardt, Emmy Earnhardt and Taylor Earnhardt of Raleigh, NC., and Shuphitha Phawapoothanon of Beltsville, MD.

Frank is also survived by his brother Peter P. Maida of Norvelt, PA and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many great friends in the communities of Abbotswood and Whispering Pines in Raleigh, NC, as well as those in western Pennsylvania, and Europe.

In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by sisters, Angeline and Elizabeth and brothers, Gerald, Alfonso, and Joseph.

Visitation will be on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 12 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will follow at 1pm with Military Honors.

Committal Services will be held at Saint Pius X Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, assisted by Gallone-Caruso Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the 8th Air Force Historical Society. Visit https://www.8thafhs.org/donate/ for more information.

The family has made a memorial video of photos posted on YouTube - to view please visit https://youtu.be/JutgmiCeK_Y?si=DC8-hyBjY3ctYSoe

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