Francis X. "Frank" Hollywood was born on Staten Island to Henry and Mary Farell Hollywood on October 28, 1921. The youngest of 12 children, he liked to joke, " They saved the best for last." He enjoyed a happy childhood, regaling the family with stories about sliding down the pole in a nearby firehouse, having a fireman cut his hair, pitching horseshoes in competition, ping pong tournaments, playing ball in McDonald Playground and ice skating on Clove Lake Pond. He attended Sacred Heart Grammar School and graduated from St. Peter's High School in 1940.

Upon graduating, he began working in the insurance business, where he met his future bride, Veronica "Ronnie" Gray. Their blooming romance was interrupted by World War II, with Frank entering the Army on September 11, 1942. Ronnie corresponded with Frank for the duration. Following basic training, Frank was assigned to the 534th Engineering, Boat and Shore Regiment and shipped out to the war in the Pacific. He participated in landings on New Guinea, Morotai and Luzon in the Phillippines. He survived two typhoons at sea and was to be part of the invasion of Japan when the war ended. Part of the initial occupying forces, he was honorably discharged on January 12, 1946 in the rank of Technician Fifth Grade.

Upon returning home, Frank resumed his work in the insurance business and courting Ronnie. In 1952 he opted to change careers, entering the New York City Police Department. He was assigned to the Sixth Precinct in Greenwich Village, where he would work for the next 32 years. The following year, on October 17, 1953, Frank and Ronnie were married, beginning a life together that would span almost 48 years until her passing on October 5, 2001. He was the only one of his siblings to leave Staten Island, and in 1955 he and Ronnie made their permanent home in Stuyvesant Town, a neighborhood he loved.

Frank was assigned as Sixth Precinct Youth Officer in the late 1950s and then as their first Community Affairs Officer in 1966. During his tenure, Frank was well known throughout the neighborhood. As one resident once said, " There is nothing about this neighborhood that he didn't know. Frank is a legend." He was integral in the institution of various innovative programs designed to enhance the community's confidence in the police, particularly that of the gay community following the Stonewall Riots, for which he received many accolades.

He loved his time in the department and would have stayed on, but due to age restrictions had to retire on his 63rd birthday in 1984. He was blessed with a long, happy retirement. He enjoyed socializing in the contexts of parish volunteer work, playing cards with his fellow Knights of Columbus and American Legion members. He delighted in NYPD social events which gave him the opportunity to reconnect with his old Sixth Precinct colleagues and make new acquaintances. He cheered on his Yankees, Rangers and Giants teams. Frank was a frequent patron of Villa Mosconi and Arturo's restaurants, where he would proudly sport his WWII Army Veteran cap while sipping his Manhattan and enjoy meeting new people. A consummate gentleman in his dress and his manner, he loved taking people to lunch and hearing about the details of their lives. Most of all he enjoyed being with his children, Anne Marie and Danny and their families, and his large and loving extended family. He visited with his beloved brother John until both were well into their 90s.

Frank had a gift for making people feel good; he was happiest when he was with other people, and they, in turn, were happy to be with him. He had a cheerful and outgoing demeanor and a high energy which made him seem ageless. When a series of grave illnesses befell him in quick succession in the last two months of his life, he accepted it with grace. He left this world surrounded by his loving family. In the words of his many friends, "He was just a good, good guy."

Frank is survived by his daughter, Anne Marie Govoni, son-in-law Robert Govoni and grandchildren Matthew and Carolyn Govoni, and his son Daniel Hollywood, daughter-in-law Lisa Hollywood and granddaughter Katherine Glynn. A wake will be held on Tuesday, August 28th from 2-5 PM and 7-9 PM at Redden Funeral Home, NYC. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 29th at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Parish, 414 East 14th Street, NYC. Burial will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

Obituary for Francis X. Hollywood

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