"I was so shocked to have just learned of Frank's death yesterday. I didn't know him well, but in my professional interactions with him, he was always generous with his help and time. I had a great deal of respect for him, and considered him an authority in his field. He had the potential to contribute so much more to science, and will be greatly missed. G. Cote, USDA"
In loving memory of
Frank W. Barresi
September 13, 1966 - April 4, 2011
FRANK BARRESI MUSCATINE, Iowa - Frank Barresi, 44, of Muscatine, died on Monday, April 4, 2011, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, after a courageous battle against cancer. Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Reverend Randy Porter and The Reverend Joseph Sia will officiate the service. Private burial will take place in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Livestrong or the American Cancer Society. Frank was born on September 13, 1966, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, the son of Salvatore and Marianna Barresi. He received his Doctorate in Organic Chemistry from the University of Alberta. He was proficient in Spanish, and had knowledge of Italian and French. He had been awarded sixteen U.S. Patents and twenty-three U.S. patent applications along with numerous published academic papers and invited speaking events. He also served as a board member of Iowa Biotechnology Association. He was a Senior Vice-President of Product Research and Development. He worked for Grain Processing for 15 years. He married Laura E. Chavez on June 28, 2008, in Mexico City, Mexico. Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Laura E. Chavez of Muscatine; his daughter, Alyssa E. Barresi of Iowa City; his parents, Salvatore and Marianna Barresi of Victoria, British Columbia; one sister, Elisabeth Barresi of Victoria, British Columbia; and two nieces, Jessie and Tessa Barresi, both of Victoria, British Columbia.
Tributes
"Dear Laura and Alyssa I send my heartfelt well wishes to the both of you for the loss of Frank. I hold fond memories of the brief time I spent with Frank and both of you and his friends. Just meeting Frank you knew you had met someone special, unique and genuine. He seemed to be a master of multitasking, but you always felt you had his full attention when you spoke with him. My life is richer for having known Frank, and you - thank you. I hold you all in my prayers."
"Frank impressed me in a way that very few people have. It the short time I met and worked with him I could tell he had an keen awareness and understanding of the workings of the world around him, nature, chemicals, industries, people. He was observant, sensitive, analytical and curious and carried in his eyes a rare spark. He used his gifts to bring as much benefit as he could to those around him in the time that he had. He will be missed by all who knew him."
"Alyssa and Laura, please know that he was well loved and respected by all of those who ever met him. Frank was one of a kind. I am very sad to learn of his death. We worked together in research until I retired in 2000."
"Frank, may the great Almight rest you in eternal peace. Laura and Alyssa: I pray that God gives you strength to cope through this tough time. May he grant you peace of mind in the days ahead. God bless. Perminus "
"All of Frank's many friends at Iowa State University's Center for Crops Utilization Research will miss him dearly. He has given so much to all of us. God bless you for all you have done and accomplished in such a short life."
"Frank's many friends at Iowa State University's Center for Biorenewable Chemicals wish to convey our highest respects and regards. Frank was an inspiration for all who knew him."
"So Sorry to hear of Franks' passing. I spent two years seated next to Frank in the EMBA program at Iowa. We studied together and survived the program because of one another. Today more than ever I am glad to have those wonderful memories. I am a better person because of the time I spent with Frank. I'm going to miss not being able to see Frank and share more stories. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Again, I'm so sorry Rick Jedlicka"
"Alyssa and Laura: I was in Frank's small group in the EMBA program at U of I. He was a truly loving and devoted husband and Father. He loved you both deeply. I remember when he told us he was going to propose, we were so excited he had truly found love. It was so special. And Alyssa he was so proud of you. My deepest condolences to you both and his whole family in Canada. Frank and I lost touch over the years but I know this, he was a brilliant, kind and loving man with a great sense of humor surrounded by people who loved him. He was blessed and he will be missed my us all."
"Frank was one of my closest friends when we were children; we went to school together from Grades 2 to 5. Now, over 30 years later, I easily recall his kindness, his warmth and his smile. The Earth will miss this special soul, and I send my condolences to all who, like me, were blessed to come in contact with such a wonderful person. I will forever be grateful for the time I had with him."
"Prayers & sympathy to all the Barresi family. Frank's greatest desire, while on earth, was to always stand on his own. Now his greatest desire, in heaven, is to kneel. Kneel in praise and worship to Jesus, who reached through the dark clouds of illness to give him comfort and strength. May you hold to this same comfort and strength during your time of sorrow. Larry & Shirley Porter"
"Dear family, My sincere condolences goes out to the family and friends of Frank. Memories of your loved one can be the very tool you need to help you with your loss. May you find a measure of comfort from "the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation." 2 Cor.1:3,4."
"Frank was a man of knowledge and fortitude. May his memories and love remain with you forever. May God bless you and grace you with His love."
"Frank will be missed by those of us here at GPC that had the great fortune to work with him. He was brilliant, compassionate and one of the nicest guys I have ever worked with. God Bless you Frank and may your soul rest in peace with Jesus! Shellie Clyde"
"So sorry to hear of Frank's passing.I took care of him a few times at Trinity of Muscatine and he was such a nice,polite man. He will be missed by all who knew him."
"Our hearts go out to Frank's entire family during this difficult time. May they be comforted by the fact that Frank's spirit is now in a place with no worries; a place that is perfect. He was a great man. We all learned a great deal from Frank. He will never be forgotten by his entire GPC family and friends. May his passing be a reminder to us all to live every moment to the fullest. Life is precious. We'll miss you, Frank! Amy & David"
"Frank's courage and optimism were downright inpirational. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who have had the good fortune to know him. My deepest sympathies go out to his family."
"I've had the pleasure of working with Frank during all of his years at MFC. He was a very good man and will be missed. My sincere condolences to his wife and daughter as well as his entire family. A very large loss."
"Laura, Alyssa, and Family, Frank battled with great courage this deadly cancer, but in his fight, he enabled many to see the hope and dreams of a determined man to always be with his family. He helped us to see the simple truth of love for family. Frank has left a profound legacy of a thirst for knowledge and a determination to solve problems. Through this disease, he came to know the meaning of life. He has been an inspiration to us all. I think a song by The Truth (If You Could See Me Now) says it bestā?¦Frank is now walking streets of gold, he is standing tall and whole, he has seen His face and all the pain is erased. You wouldnā??t want him to leave that perfect placeā?¦and you will see him again, rejoined in your heavenly home. We give thanks to God for the blessings that Frank has given us and we pray for peace and strength for the family in days to come."
"Frank was a "gentle" man in every sense of the word. At the same time, his work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and compassion were an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be sorely missed. May your happy memories of good times together help you through these difficult times. God's peace be with you."
"Frank, Your silly laugh will truly be missed in the department and in the minds of all of your colleagues. Smile down on us from above and continue to provide us with the guidance that you so wisely provided for way too short a time!!"
"I was privilege to know Frank. I had dinner with him and his wife, but real food didnĀ“t came from the kitchen. I canĀ“t write every word he said but I can write that he was full of love and happiness. I can tell that I was privileged to be touch by his light. God bless you, my friend. Laura: Too much to say and too short of words. Life goes on; Frank lives in your heart but ...life goes on. Marco Vazquez"