Obituary of Frank L. Rainaldi

Frank L. Rainaldi passed away at his home in Mendham, N.J. on June 30, 2015, after a long and courageous battle against cancer. A visitation will be held on Monday, July 6, 2015, from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road, Mendham. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating his life will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the Church of St. Joseph, 6 New St., Mendham. Interment will follow at Hilltop Cemetery, 18 Hilltop Road, Mendham. Frank was one of the leading educators in the insurance industry. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and a member of their School of Business Hall of Fame. He was the first life insurance professional to be elected into the Hall of Fame of the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. He is also a member of the John Hancock Hall of Fame. Frank is a former Trustee of the American College, and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Financial Service Professionals. Frank began his career in Waterbury, CT, in insurance sales and later moved into the Boston home office of John Hancock, where he became Director of Education. He subsequently was appointed President of a subsidiary, where he served as a very successful General Agent for 20 years. He was a renowned author and publisher of The Kugler System, which was used by financial planners at all the major insurance and investment companies as part of their training programs. Frank was in demand as a keynote speaker at national sales conferences across the U.S. and frequently contributed his expertise to national media outlets, such as CNBC and Trusts & Estates magazine. Frank was a marathon runner and fitness enthusiast. He and his wife, Ann, traveled extensively throughout their 55-year marriage and attended five Olympics all over the world. Frank was passionate about sports and shared his love of the Yankees and the Giants with hundreds of people, converting many into fans by bringing them along to games. Among his favorite memories are attending not one but two "perfect" Yankee games in 1998 and 1999 with his beloved granddaughters, Meredith and Michelle Rainaldi. He also held close his memories of his own days on the field, having played football for White Plains High School (NY), where he was a member of three undefeated teams. In college, he played for Kansas State and the University of Connecticut. Frank was born in White Plains, NY, the son of the late Agnes and Philip Rainaldi. He was predeceased by his brother, Angelo. He is survived by his devoted wife, Ann; his sister, Louise Perezzella of Naugatuck, CT; his children, William, and his wife Susan of Long Valley, NJ; Kathryn and her husband Patrick of Mendham, NJ; and John and his wife Sandy of Manchester, CT. He was the cherished grandfather of Meredith, Michelle, and Andrew Rainaldi, and Kyle and Julia Doyle. He is also the dear uncle of many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 or the UConn Foundation, 2390 Alumni Dr., Unit 3206, Storrs, CT, 06269.