Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church Tuesday, Septmeber 9, 2025.
Beloved husband of Dolores A. Frisella (nee Hamilton); loving father of Andrea (Donald Doran) Frisella, John Paul (Cara) Frisella, Claudia (Kip) Starnes and Stephanie (Doug) Fields; adoring grandfather of Daniel and Dillon (Lisette) and Jack Dunaway, Grace (Mark) Joe, John Andrew Frisella, Carter and Avery Starnes, Dominic (Hayley) Valencia, Haley and Richard (Lauren) Fields, Luca, Gianna and Salvatore Valencia; cherished great-grandfather of Anthony, Nina and Walker; dear brother of James (Wendy), Thomas (Linda), William (Trina) Frisella, Cindy (Larry) Mathews, Paul (Debbie) Frisella, Celeste (Ken) Dothage, Mary (Rick) Rasch, Rita (the late Mark) Friederich, Michael (Cathy) Frisella and the late Peter (surviving Liz) Frisella and Andrea (surviving John) Barr. Our dearest uncle, great-uncle, cousin and friend to many.
Visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois Rd. 63123 on Thursday, September 18 from 4-8 pm. Funeral Mass at St. Ambrose Cathoilc Church on Friday, September 19 at 10:00 am. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions to St. Ambrose Forever Donate to St. Ambrose Forever — St. Ambrose Forever appreciated.
Mr. Frisella was a kind man, and he was a great friend to my father. May you find peace, strength, and comfort in the love of family and friends, and in the memories that will never be forgotten.
John was so loved by the staff and fellow residents at Friendship Village. He will be deeply missed. On behalf of the Chaplain’s team at Friendship Village, we offer our deepest condolences. Please know that “God is near to the brokenhearted.” Psalm 34:18
John C. was a good man, he could be brash at times, but only to challenge us in order to bring out the best in us. His Fierce belief in God, fellow man, and our country, forced many out of their comfort zone, this cause and effect behavior help many to see the light. Rest easy my friend, prayers for him and the entire Frisella family. 🙏🙏🙏
Brother John was such an inspiration as a “big brother”. Sure, he had a tough outer shell but inside he was a kind, caring and very loving person. I often mentioned to people that brother John was the opposite of “sugar coated”. He was a bit salty on the outside but all sugar and creme on the inside. He had a tough go ever since his head injury 7 years ago and expecially lately when he was diagnosed with lymphona. His pain and suffering is now over and his colorful memory remains. Rest in peace brother John. You will be dearly missed.
It has been a blessing to walk with John, literally walk “laps” throughout Friendship Village with him. Always a JOY to share in worshipful experiences whether in his room or with others…John has lived a beautiful life and we care deeply…with a full heart we continue to share in this journey with the family…
Blessings…Kathleen
John loved deeply, and he was, and will always be deeply loved.
His brothers and sisters got it so right !! John had a hard shell and a temper on the outside but was as caring and righteous as could be.
We had many good times when we shared an apartment 55+ years ago !
I can’t believe John is gone !!
There was only one John Frisella. They “broke the mold” with this guy. He was a legend and will always be. I thank him for his guidance when I thought I knew everything. God Bless -Roland DeGregorio
you got that right Roland. Thanks.
What can be said of John Frisella? John was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was a boxer, an electrician, an entrepreneur, and a lover of hockey. He was a leader, a giant of a man, a rock in his family and in his community. And he was my grandpa.
Grandpa never missed a chance to be at one of my middle or high school band concerts. At my track and cross-country meets, he could always be found cheering me on—strangely enough—from among the tents on the inside of the track. I’m not sure anyone but athletes and coaches were supposed to be there, but that didn’t seem to matter to Grandpa. He always made sure I could see him smiling and cheering, no matter what. In the after-school pickup line, Grandpa could always be heard before he was seen. The horn of his Ford pickup truck honked constantly, announcing his presence to everyone at pickup—often mortifying my sister and me. But… that was just Grandpa’s way of showing love.
Most importantly, he lived and shared his faith. Many nights after dinner, you could find him in his armchair, Bible open on his lap, asleep and snoring loud enough to wake the whole house. A crumb-filled plate—remnants of one of Grandma’s desserts he swore he wouldn’t touch—was always beside him. You could not mention the word “luck” in his presence without Grandpa loudly and passionately declaring that no such thing exists. “There are only blessings from God,” he would tell me, again and again. Grandpa saw God in everything and everyone. Before every family meal, he led us in prayer, often sharing a lengthy story or a life lesson, making sure every grandchild was listening. Then, he would wander the room, declining to grab his own plate and instead picking salad barehanded off his nearest grandchild’s plate.
Even today, Grandpa’s encouragement lives on in a Bible sitting on my nightstand, his favorite verses marked in yellow, with notes and commentary filling the margins. One of my favorites, above the creation account in Genesis, reads: “NOT DARWIN.” He wrote it larger than anything else on the page, in all caps and underlined, so I could never miss it. I chuckle every time I see it.
I will certainly miss my Grandpa John, as will all who knew and loved him. But I am heartened by the knowledge that he now rests with his Lord. And I know I will see him again. Thank you, Grandpa, for your joyful life, your love, your example, and your faith. I love you.
What a wonderful tribute to your grandfather Cater! Thank you for allowing those of us who did not know him some insight.
I had the greatest pleasure caring for John at FRIENDSHIP Village. I adopted him as my grandpa. John, was a sweet man, he made us all laugh and cry with his antics. He will be deeply missed.
Grandpa John you will be missed. Your fRIENDSHIP Village family.. I have the greatest pleasure in caring for you
I grew up with John’s sister Celeste. At 6 years old I became like a member of the family. The boys scared the heck out of me.
Johnny was a kind young man as well as the rest of the family. As we grew up I babysat for his family and they always treated me like a sister. I know they were always looking out for me but I took a lot of teasing too. I also remember seeing him box as he loved that sport. Memories of growing up with his family will always be remembered and those days cherished. Rest in peace my friend/brother.
Really good guy. Great friend to me and my parents. Always stopped to say hello, to me and talk when he drove past my house here on The Hill. … Years ago, when he saw me struggling to complete a backyard project, without me asking for help he just sent up some of his equipment and guys to help me. Unforgettable, decent man, full of integrity. … his office was always open to me. I could go in there and just shoot the breeze or talk politics with him. Always made me feel welcome. I will miss him.
A friend loves at all times and a brother is born in a time of adversity.
John was a true friend. We lived and played together with our family and friends We shared a friendship bond thru the years. John made me feel like a brother. You will be missed.
I met John for the first time on a worldwind 36 hour trip to the STL Rams Superbowl in Atlanta. We were in a bus for a 10 hour trip to Atlanta. That was all the time I needed to know that John Frisella was agood man. I’ve met his brother, son, and other family members and it obvious they are all great people.
John will be missed.
As cousins, I got to know John better than any of my other 40 some odd cousins. And this happened at the back end of our lives. Our computers gave us the daily contact with each other for about ten years as we got old. What we found in common was the daily political/news scene. We were news junkies together. We had fun doing that. John was the bestest cousin ever late in my life. John, Malinda, my brother Rich, we were news junkies together. And his beautiful wife Delores has made me and Malinda laugh like nobody else. John had the best match in Delores.
I have known Mr. Frisella nearly my entire life, meeting him as he was the the father of one of my very best friends in Kindergarten, then as a soccer coach and later in life as a matured, someone who served in the mentor’s role. I always witnessed him to be a trusted leader among his family members, business associates and friends. Over the years, I have learned to be careful with the words I use to describe people, events and things. I always want to be sure that whatever I choose to say accurately hits the mark. In that spirit, when I use the word “great” to describe Mr. Frisella, it hits the mark. For just more than 50 years, he has played a significant role in who I have become, and I am just his son’s friend. I can only imagine how other people have benefited because of his presence in their lives. I am privileged to have become a better person because I have witnessed how he conducted himself in the presence of others. I have learned from him, not just on how to play soccer at a young age when he coached me, but lessons in life, decisions to make and how to approach them. He has always provided some level of support or advice when it was needed the most, often times when I was too stubborn to ask for advice. I’ve witnessed his interactions with his children and Mrs. Frisella and they are excellent examples of how a father and husband should be, built on love, care, humor and their well-being. I know because of witnessing him, I am better in those roles. So while there is an emptiness with his passing, there is also an appreciation that I knew him, that I am a better person for having enjoyed that relationship. I am grateful the Lord allowed us to cross paths and only hope someday that when it is my time to meet God that my impact on the world can be just a little bit of what Mr. Frisella left us all.
Hello Dee,
So sad to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. Dave Bosch
My family and I are extremely grateful and fortunate for having John in our lives. He was the most amazing Grandfather, Father & Husband! Our youth hockey trips together were legendary.
He taught us all about striving for the highest degree of excellence – no matter what you do or pursue in life. His impact will be everlasting for us all.
Because of John’s charisma and power to think with clear logic, we are now more alert and more able to deal with challenges. Because of how he worked productively, we better understand what it means to be productive. Because of his sense of humor, his joy of life, his laughter, we are better able to see things in perspective and to laugh and enjoy life. And because he was kind and compassionate, generous and loving, then we value and appreciate more these qualities, with each passing day. And the most wonderful fact is that when he leaves us, we don’t lose what he gave us, what he brought forth in us. We are better people because he lived. The world is a better place because he lived. He gave us a great gift: his life, his influence and his presence. We will treasure his image in our conscious, and in our consciousness. In darkness, we will always see more clearly because he lived. And when we remember him, it will be as if he were present, and we will think more clearly and show more integrity and know more of what it means to love. God Bless you John!
Prayers and love to the Frisella Family, Co-workers and Circle of Friends.
“Ad maiorem Dei gloriam”
John C… you will be greatly missed😢
You were a huge bundle of joy and laughter. Until we meet again, my friend!
To the Frisella family, our condolences. So sorry for your loss.
Ron and Jean Puricelli
To Dee, to John’s children and grandchildren, and to all my Frisella cousins. I am deeply saddened that John passed. The vision I have when I think about John is at family reunions telling stories and his witty and funny jokes. He was intelligent and kind. He was a leader among all of us cousins. It was hard to see him decline these past few years and my heart felt comfort goes out to all of you. Praying for John and praying for God’s comfort to all of you! So sad!
John was my friend, I can say no more. Thank you John for all the years we had together,
I can still remember John C walking through the door of Metro Electric, tough exterior with a wild temper.
But just as sweet as he could be after the outburst. Kind soul he was.
My father knew him well and had respect for John.
Thanks for the memories while I worked at Metro.
Rest in peace , prayers for all the family members. God bless
Julie Malone
John C was an amazing man. He would extend any privilege he had to his family. He built a business honorably and was an honest man in life. He would tell you what he thought and not what he thought you wanted to hear or what benefited him. To him his honest word was mightier than coin or accolade. You always knew where you stood with John C. He earned everything that he had in life and was the most loyal family man one could know. John C helped a countless number of his family members, regularly, without ever speaking of it. He was a man that would always help you without mentioning it or patting himself on the back. John C left a huge mark on all of his family and will be greatly missed. He was an example of how you should treat your family and I personally will take his example in my own life. If you knew John C well you would consider yourself lucky.