Francis ‘Frank’ Borelli III
Francis “Frank” Joseph Borelli III, faithful servant, was promoted to heaven on Aug. 18, 2023.
He was born Oct. 17, 1938, to Lorene (Peeper) and Francis Borelli, Jr., in Okarche.
His love for the Rocky Mountains of Colorado began when he attended Camp Holy Cross. Frank would later attend The Holy Cross Abbey, a Catholic high school in Canon City.
Frank excelled in sports and was a member of the traveling glee club, making lifelong friends.
He attended the University of Oklahoma, pledged SAE and met the love of his life, Betty Buser. They married on Oct. 18, 1958, the day after Frank turned 20.
They moved to Okarche in 1959 when Frank purchased the family business, Borelli Butane.
Later, he became a Phillips 66 jobber and operated Borelli 66, a full-service gas station for over 25 years. Betty and Frank decided to add groceries for the convenience of local patrons, establishing one of the very first “convenience” stores in Oklahoma.
Frank and Betty partnered with the Vosses, building a new, larger Don’s Dairy Boy.
In 1977, Frank’s family moved to Green Mountain Falls, Colo., to follow his son Mark’s Abbey teams.
The home became a mountain retreat that Frank and Betty, to this day, enjoy sharing with friends and family.
He LOVED the town of Okarche and its people. He was community minded and supported many local projects, emceeing the Okarche Fair, never missing a KC Carnival or an opportunity to donate blood at the Okarche Hospital.
The Okarche Christmas Connection was formed over 50 years ago by Frank and Betty to provide holiday food baskets for those less fortunate. This ministry, supported by community donations, continues today.
Frank was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and the Lions Club.
Frank and Betty were adventurers; they rafted the Grand Canyon twice, helped create the “Okarche Ski Club,” sailed on the QE2, flew on the Concorde and traveled the world with close friends.
Frank invented and patented the first Mercedes cupholder (Borelli Becher Halter). He partnered with a friend to patent the Universal Flower Holder.
Forever an OU fan, he was an engaging conversationalist, loved “bad” jokes, enjoyed watching his favorite teams and loved fast cars.
His work ethic didn’t allow for hobbies during the years of raising children, but later he became a collector. Frank enjoyed collecting cowboy and Native American art and memorabilia, all things Roy Rogers and Gene Autry.
The thrill of the hunt was worth more than any found treasure.
Frank created a vintage arcade in the downstairs of his Colorado home to provide entertainment for guests of all ages.
Frank and Betty, at the age of 80, enjoyed building a custom home in Oklahoma City, bringing Frank closer to his twin brothers, Mike and Pat.
The brothers enjoyed their Wednesday trips to “the fair,” lunching at diners and inflicting financial damage to the local gaming casinos.
The “fair” brought as much joy to Betty as it did the Borelli brothers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Betty and son Mark.
Frank is survived by his son’s children, Jordan (Stephanie) Brodnax, Summer (Kevin) Norris and Kenzie Borelli; daughter Jan (Billy) Petty and her children Meggan (William) Whitsitt, Marissa (Lakin) Dreiling, Elijah Petty; daughter Gina (Joel Robidoux) White and her children Hayden and Mitchell White; daughter Jill (David) Youngblood and her children Zachary (Shelby), Jared, Dylan (Madelyn Rops) and Cade Youngblood; adopted daughter and son MaryNell and Pat Brueggen; great-grandchildren Hunter Brodnax, Wynn and Maven Whitsitt, Truett and Brighton Dreiling.
Frank is also survived by his brothers Mike (Dawn) Borelli, Pat (Clare) Borelli and his adopted sister Barbara (Pete) Brown; sisterin- law Carolyn Buser and brother-in-law Jerry Miller.
Bishop Edward Weisenburger of Tucson, Ariz., will officiate the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church in Oklahoma City.
Interment will follow in Gabriel’s Garden at Resurrection Cemetery directed by Buchanan Funeral Service.
Donations in Frank’s name may be made to the Center of Family Love, 635 W. Texas Avenue, Okarche, OK 73762 or the Hot Dog Ministry, c/o Rick Swyden, 700 Ricks Trail, Edmond, OK 73012.