Frank Joseph Misuraca passed away, peacefully, at the age of 86. He was bom in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 26, 1938, to Angelo Frank and Gaetana Palma Misuraca. Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Mary Misuraca Schultz; and his nephew, Paul Jay Schultz. Frank leaves behind his devoted wife of 56 years, Charlene Spencer Misuraca, to cherish his memory. He was also the cherished father of Frank Joseph Misuraca, Jr. (Kristen) and Marc Spencer Misuraca (Jessica). He was the proud grandfather to Mason Belle, Ava Gaetana Misuraca, and Marc Spencer Misuraca, Jr. He was the beloved brother to his sister, Rose Misuraca Scott. Frank had three loves in his life: his family, the sport of baseball, and making people laugh.
His smile was infectious; and his ability to lead young men was unmatched. He was respected by the athletes that he coached and admired by his coaching peers, many of whom sought and benefited from his advice. Frank spent a 46-year career in sports administration at Jesuit High School, working as a physical education instructor, assistant football and basketball coach, and head gymnastics coach. Most notably, he was the head baseball coach of the Blue Jays. His dedication to coaching and service to the high school sports industry did not go unnoticed. Throughout his lengthy career, he was inducted into multiple halls of fame, including the Southeastern Louisiana University Hall of Fame in 1976, the Louisiana American Italian Sports Hall of Fame in 1995, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Allstate Sugar Bowl Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. From 1966 to 1981, Frank guided the Jesuit baseball program in prep and the American Legion. During his tenure, Frank and his teams won five state championships (two prep and three legion) and four district championships.
The Blue Jays were state runners-up twice in prep. He was the school's athletic director twice, first serving from 1978 to 1981 and then again from 1986 to 2007. Frank remains the only athletic director in Louisiana to be, twice, named Louisiana Athletic Association Athletic Director of the Year. He earned the award in 1991 and 1996; and was once honored as the National Regional Athletic Director of the Year. He went on to serve as president of the Louisiana High School Athletic Directors' Association. He was an executive board member of the LHSAA, which conferred upon him the organization's 'Distinguished Service Award.” Off the field, Frank was the executive administrative assistant to the school president, Father Harry Thompson, from 1981 to 1986; and worked as prefect of discipline and assistant prefect of discipline over a three-year period. He directed Jesuit's summer camp program for nine years and taught physical education and social studies. He was a graduate of Francis T. Nicholls High School; then earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southeastern Louisiana University.
Frank earned his master's degree in education from Nicholls State University in 1975. He was a star baseball player at SLU, gaining NAIA All-American status as a senior. He was the only SLU baseball player to make the Southeastern Louisiana University All-Decade Team two decades in a row, in the 1950s and 1960s. Frank was a four-time All-Gulf States Conference selection, who finished his career with a .312 batting average. He was a student assistant coach for Southeastern's 1962 GSC championship team. Relatives and friends are invited to visit Jesuit High School’s Chapel of the North American Martyrs, 4133 Banks Street, New Orleans, LA 70119, on Saturday, December 21, 2024, starting at 10 a.m. A Funeral Mass will follow the visitation at 12 p.m. The burial will be private. In place of flowers, the family is requesting Masses. We also invite you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online atwww.greenwoodfh.com.
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