Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Delivers Remarks at Funeral of DSNY Sergeant Musella

August 5, 2015

Mayor Bill de Blasio: All of New York City is grieving today. We’re mourning the loss of Sanitation Enforcement Sergeant Frank Musella – just 37 years old. 

Frank was a proud Brooklynite, a devoted family man, a loving husband to Alessandra for 17 years, devoted father to his two sons, Frank Jr. and Anthony. 

Our hearts go out to the family and all his loved ones, to his friends, to his neighbors, and to his second family – his extended family at the sanitation department. 

We’ve lost a good man – a man who had character, a man who dedicated himself in so many ways to brightening the lives of others. 

For nearly a decade, Frank was devoted to keeping this city clean and safe. He began patrolling the streets as an enforcement agent, and worked his way up to supervisor. And he took great pride in his work. And he was respected by all who knew him and all who worked with him. 

And he was focused and devoted on the one hand, but a man who had such heart at the same time, who had such compassion – and yes, as all know, a sense of humor, and a sense of the kind of the antics that would lift up everyone around him and make their day better. 

He was legendary within the division for the pranks he played on his fellow sergeants. Sometimes he secretly rearranged the office furniture. Sometimes he booby-trapped the desks. You had to be careful when you were opening your drawers or your lockers, because Frank might’ve gotten there first. You never knew what could happen when he was around. And you couldn’t leave your smartphone unattended – otherwise you would find an entire selfie photoshoot, featuring Frank, posted on your Facebook account. 

His pranks were always in good fun. They were out of love, they were out of the depth of his feeling for those around him – and he cared deeply for his squad. He was always there to lead. He was always there to lend a helping hand as well. 

Whether the problem was work-related or personal, Frank was eager to listen. He was eager to help out. Your problems became his problems. Even off duty, he was happy to go anywhere to help someone – just to talk, if they needed it.

When it came to cars, he was the go-to guy. He was the expert mechanic with a magic touch, who could fix anything. To see his real handiwork, you would have to visit his home, where he painstakingly restored antique furniture. And the house itself was a product of his two hands. The house hit hard by Sandy – Frank did so much, working with his family, to bring it back and make it even better. In fact, he spent so much time at the Home Depot his wife called it his second home. 

Now, that would mean so much already, but on top of his many other forms of expertise, he was also a master chef – and his coworkers knew it, and they were jealous of the delicious smells wafting from the lunches he made. They told Frank he would put Bobby Flay to shame. To give his food and his cooking extra flavor, he grew his own vegetables and his own herbs – truly a Renaissance man. 

And you could say so much about a man with so many talents. You could say so much about a man who was so dedicated to his work and his colleagues. But what came first for Frank was his family. His world revolved around his wife and kids. They were inseparable. He would always rush home after work to spend time with his sons. He never missed one of their soccer or baseball games. He loved taking them on trips. 

And when challenges and adversity came to their home after his son Frank Jr. was diagnosed with autism, Frank did something about it. He stood up. He stood up for all families facing the challenge. He became a dedicated advocate for autism awareness, and every year raised money for research by taking part in the Staten Island Autism Walk. 

I am surrounded by so many people who are part of New York’s Strongest. Well, think of the strength of Frank in every way, not just on the job, but as an exemplary family man, as a man who was there for his family and so many others – a pillar of strength and love for his family. 

As Alessandra poignantly wrote, “Life will never be the same. I’m on this journey alone, but I forever carry you in my heart.” Alessandra, you’re not alone in that feeling today. 

All of the sanitation department of this city and all of the people of this city are behind you and your family. It may not ease the pain, but please know that this city cherishes the memory of Frank. We are grateful for his service. We are inspired by his life. 

Robert F. Kennedy said, “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” 

Through the many lives he touched so positively, Sergeant Frank Musella has left an indelible imprint on this chapter of New York City history. 

We are proud to say he was our fellow New Yorker. And he will not be forgotten. 

God bless you all.