Robert Errol Frisina, age 81, of Sarasota, Florida formerly of Taylorville, Illinois passed away peacefully at the Tidewell Hospice House in Lakewood Ranch Florida on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.
Born on August 23rd 1939 in Taylorville to Jim Frisina Sr. and Lucille Zeigler Frisina, Bob was always called a “little angel sent from heaven” by his mother. He attended Taylorville schools growing up and graduated Taylorville High School in 1957. The University of Illinois was Bob’s next stop where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and grew his love for Illini sports. Bob served in the United States Army and Army Reserves until 1967. In 1962 he joined the family theatre business, Frisina Enterprises comprised of more than 60 theatres and drive ins across a three-state area. Later on, Bob and his wife, Fran, owned Liberty Market for a number of years, a specialty Italian market right off the Taylorville square.
Often called “Bobby Lou” by friends, Bob Frisina never knew a stranger and was the life of many parties, especially in earlier days. Bob was a multi-sport athlete at Taylorville High School and lifelong golfer like his father winning the Taylorville Country Club Championship five times and the Taylorville City Championship once. He enjoyed serving as a volunteer coach for “biddy basketball” in Taylorville for a number of years, as well as volunteer coaching his daughter’s junior high basketball team in the late 1970’s.
Bob was an avid reader, music lover (Dixieland and Broadway showtunes in particular) and spoon-player with flair in a local kitchen band. He loved the opportunity to travel with his family when he was able including several memorable trips to Europe with his children and cruises with his wife, Fran.
When it comes to sports teams it might be debatable if Bob favored the Chicago Bears over the St. Louis Cardinals, but there would never be any doubt he loved the Fighting Illini most of all and will be remembered for his lifelong loyalty to University of Illinois.
Bob was devoted to wife of 58 years, Fran Daly Frisina whom he met at the age of 12 at Taylorville Junior High, as well as his children, grandchildren and lifelong friends. He made a lasting impact greater than what he might have ever realized and would love nothing better than knowing his friends and family would share stories toasting wonderful memories spent laughing together.
Bob Frisina is survived by his wife Fran, daughter Cindy, Atlanta GA, son Scott, Gainesville, FL and three wonderful grandchildren, Alexandra, Cathryn and Dominic. Bob was preceded in death by his parents James Frisina Sr. and Lucille Ziegler Frisina. He was a longstanding member of the Taylorville Country Club, First Presbyterian Church of Taylorville and the Taylorville Moose Lodge 1516.
Bob's remains will be cremated and interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville, IL at a later date when a celebration in his memory can be held with friends and family. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob’s honor may be left to one of the following organizations: Taylorville Presbyterian Church, 116 E. Franklin St. Taylorville, IL 62568, University of Illinois Athletic Fund https://jointheifund.com or Cerebral Palsy Foundation https://www.yourcpf.org.
McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories of Bob, or condolences to his family, may be shared online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.
