Anthony Fratto

Anthony Fratto of Phoenix NY was awarded an Associates Degree in Occupational Studies from Simmons Institute of Funeral Service in Syracuse NY on January 14, 2001. Fratto is a native of Geneva, New York, and a 1974 graduate of St. Francis DeSales High School. Prior to attending Simmons Institute, Fratto was employed for 11 years as a Sr. Data Security Manager for the Dun & Bradstreet Corporation in Stamford, Connecticut. Prior to this, he held the position of Operations Officer and Manager of Technical Support in Marine Midland Banks (now HSBC) Operations sector, located in New York City.

While attending Simmons Institute Fratto served as President of Sigma Phi Sigma during his last semester, in which he orchestrated several fundraisers and coordinated two holiday food drives for the Ronald McDonald House of Central New York. Fratto and his Sigma members also donated $250.00 to the World War II memorial effort after coordinating a balloon release on Veteran’s Day in honor of the new memorial in Washington DC. Additionally, Fratto helped organize and accumulate children’s toys during the annual holiday toy drive for television station WSTM-3 “Toys For Tots” in December of 2000. Fratto’s commitment to a career in funeral service, won him a scholarship from the Onondaga-Oswego County Funeral Director’s Association in September of 2000, which was presented to him by Patricia Knight, Treasurer during that period.

In 2000, Fratto articulated his commitment to a career in funeral service and his desire to help families of the deceased through an "emotional and painful time" in an essay that was submitted to the New York State Funeral Directors Association, Inc.

"The death of a family member is the single most difficult experience most people will ever go through," Fratto wrote. "You can lose your home, your business, your cars, all worldly possessions, yet they can be replaced. The death of someone is that single thing you can never replace, no matter how hard you try. Being a funeral director will give me the opportunity to help those people who are faced with this most difficult experience."

Fratto's essay won him a second scholarship from the New York State Funeral Directors' Association, which was awarded in Saratoga, NY, at their annual convention on August 15th, 2000. Maurice C. Wightman, CEO and president of Simmons Institute, accompanied Fratto to the award presentation ceremony. Fratto donated the proceeds from that scholarship; back into Sigma in order to help fund the organizations many projects during his last semester at Simmons Institute.

"The NYSFDA scholarship is presented to a mortuary science student who shows great potential in exhibiting excellence in and for funeral service," said Crystal Boucher, director of member relations for the NYSFDA in a notification letter to Fratto. Fratto served his residency with the Maurer Funeral Home in Liverpool, and the Falardeau Funeral Home in Baldwinsville, he was licensed as a New York State Funeral Director in February 2002.

Fratto is a current member of the: New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA) and the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA).