A DECADE+ OF STORYTELLING POWERED BY THE BEST WRITERS ON THE PLANET

BE PART OF THE LEGACY

TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

This FINAL encore experience will be unlike any other. Because like everything we do, it's been "reimagined" from beginning to end. It's not a virtual or hybrid event. It's not a conference. It's not a seminar, a workshop, a meeting, or a symposium. And it's not your typical run-of-the-mill everyday event crammed with stages, keynote speeches, team-building exercises, PowerPoint presentations, and all the other conventional humdrum. Because it's up close & personal by design. Where conversation trumps presentation. And where authentic connection runs deep.

Remembering a Great Man

–The Positive Impact of Fathers

I don’t know the author, but I recently read a statement about the impact of a Father:

If after you are grown, you think back on your Father, and you smile, you were raised by a great man.

My father was a great man. He was proud, yet humble. He was kind to everyone and lived his life with integrity. Many would say he was an average hard-working American man. A loving husband and father as well as an active member of his church and community.

My father died unexpectedly on January 7, 2020. He was 90 years old and for being 90 appeared in fairly good health. He walked to a senior sneakers exercise class three times a week, partly to exercise but mainly to socialize. Every day he walked CVS Pharmacy to buy a newspaper and talk with the staff. If it was cold (he lived outside of Buffalo, New York), he would walk laps around the pharmacy and talk to everyone in the store.

On Saturday, January 4 he took he usual walk and was watching his beloved Buffalo Bills in a playoff game. I spoke to him at half time when the Bills were ahead. He told me; “It’s only half time don’t get too excited; we have been through this before.” He fell asleep sitting on the couch watching the game and had trouble standing up in the morning. He pressed his medic alert button and the paramedics came to the house. Since he was 90, they brought him to the hospital to be safe.

He went into the hospital on Sunday morning for what we thought was dehydration. He appeared to be progressing well on Monday. Tuesday morning his sister and brother-in-law came to visit. One of my sisters and brothers and a cousin were also there. They were talking and laughing. My father was actively engaged in the discussion. Then he said “I’m tired. I am going to close my eyes for a moment.” He closed his eyes and passed away. No pain. No suffering. No living in a home. No tubes. He died on his own terms.

Over 600 people came to the viewing and 500 attended the service. Many people remarked “Your father was well-loved. Normally at a funeral for a 90-year-old, we have twenty to thirty people.

I was chosen by my brothers and sisters to deliver his eulogy. It was a great honor, but how does one sum up 90 years of living in ten minutes. Here is what I said. I hope I made him proud.
____________________

Good Morning, it is so good to see all of you although I wish it was under better circumstances. On behalf of my brothers, sisters, children, nieces, nephews, great-nephews, and grandchildren, we truly appreciate the overwhelming outpouring of love and support you have shown us during this very difficult time. We cannot thank you enough.

We will be hosting a celebration of life brunch today starting at 12:30 at the Clarion Hotel. Please join us and share your stories and thoughts about our father, one of the most remarkable men we will ever have the pleasure to know.

Many of you braved the heat and humidity to attend my father’s 90th birthday celebration this past July. And today you braved the cold and wind to be here. It is easy to see why – because to our father, all of you are family. Family means everything to our father. He gave up his railroad career, which required a great deal of travel, to be home more after Mary Anne was born.

He passed on opportunities to move to California and Delaware to work in Aerospace, to say close to our large extended family. He kept the Zaccari reunion going for decades so we would not lose touch with our roots.

The great author and speaker Simon Sinek wrote:

Integrity is when our words and deeds are consistent with our intentions.

Now think about that, because this is how our father lived every moment of his life.

Let me share some examples of his integrity:

In 1967, Mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. She was also pregnant. Medical history at that time said NO ONE had ever survived this combination. Dad had to prepare himself to not only lose his wife, but to raise five children all under the age of 14. Fortunately, Mom survived. During this ordeal, I never once heard Dad complain, “Why Me”, He was ready to do whatever it took…That’s Frank Zaccari AND that’s life with integrity.

In 1970 it appeared Cardinal Mindszenty High School was going to close. Dad led a group of parents who helped raise the money through donations and bingo to keep the school open another nine years until Steve graduated…That’s Frank Zaccari AND that’s life with integrity.

In 1985 our family suffered through our greatest challenge, the terrible accident that nearly killed Steve. We were all devastated, afraid, and angry, yet Dad never complained or lamented, “Why did this happen to Us?” As always, he was prepared to deal with the situation, no matter what it took…That’s Frank Zaccari AND that’s life with integrity.

I have one more for you. In his retirement Dad continued to stay involved with the Challenger Sports Program for disabled children, he continued to work bingo and was caretaker for Steve’s house in Phoenix for decades. He didn’t expect praise or accolades, he does what he believes is right. That’s Frank Zaccari… you know what’s coming, on three say it with me, 1, 2, 3 and that’s life with integrity.

And now our father has been reunited with our mother and the child they lost so many years ago. They are surrounded by all our other family members who have left this world. As you can imagine, it is quite a celebration.

Today we are all sad, but our father is at peace and happy. If you close your eyes and listen, if you really listen – you can see and hear our mother and father dancing to their favorite song, Tenderly, by Nat King Cole.

Listen and celebrate their joy.

This article originally appeared on Vocal Families and is featured here with author permission.

Frank Zaccari
Frank Zaccarihttps://frankzaccari.com/
Business & Organizational Development Expert | Keynote Speaker | 5x Best-Selling and 3x Award-Winning Author — A multi-talented professional with extensive experience across business development, writing, and broadcasting, Frank brings a unique blend of skills to every project. An accomplished keynote speaker, he is a 5-time #1 best-selling and 3-time award-winning author, host of the "Life-Altering Events" radio, Roku TV, podcast, and YouTube show, and a featured contributor to BIZCATALYST 360°. As a proud U.S. Air Force veteran, he also dedicates time to mentoring Veterans at the Veterans Treatment Court and serving as a judge and mentor at the University of California Entrepreneurship Academy. Academic & Mentorship Roles — Frank leads workshops at Arizona State University, inspiring future leaders and entrepreneurs. He guides veterans in the Veterans Treatment Court, fostering personal growth and rehabilitation. Additionally, he serves as a mentor and judge at the University of California Entrepreneurship Academy, contributing expertise in organizational development and entrepreneurial strategies. Co-Founder: Trust the Process Book Marketing Program — Together with partner Melissa Van Oss, Frank co-founded the "Trust the Process Book Marketing Program," a comprehensive service that offers public relations, marketing, promotion campaigns, and even ghostwriting services. In just 36 months, the program celebrated its 16th consecutive #1 bestselling book campaign, with eight of those titles winning awards. Their structured approach ensures authors achieve bestseller status, leveraging tailored visibility strategies, expert guidance, and pre-and post-launch support. The team's proven track record in the literary world has made them a trusted partner for authors looking to take their books to the next level. Featured Achievements • Keynote Speaker at various conferences, including the VA/DOD Veterans Suicide Conference and BizCat InsteadTalk • Published Author: Five-time #1 best-seller with multiple award-winning titles. • Veteran Mentor: Committed to supporting veterans' rehabilitation and success. • Workshop Leader: Leading business and entrepreneurial workshops at ASU. • Host & Media Personality: Engaging audiences across radio, Roku TV, podcasts, and YouTube. • Bestselling Campaign Success: Led 16 successful #1 bestselling book campaigns in 36 months. Partnering for Your Book Success — Are you an author looking to elevate your book's visibility? Discover how "Trust the Process Book Marketing Program" can help you achieve your literary goals. Our expert team offers comprehensive services from marketing and promotion to public relations and ghostwriting, ensuring a seamless path to success. Ready to take your book to the next level? Magic Happens When Authors Trust the Process.

DO YOU HAVE THE "WRITE" STUFF? If you’re ready to share your wisdom of experience, we’re ready to share it with our massive global audience – by giving you the opportunity to become a published Contributor on our award-winning Site with (your own byline). And who knows? – it may be your first step in discovering your “hidden Hemmingway”. LEARN MORE HERE


6 CONVERSATIONS

  1. Parents are special people and the relationship with them is special. They have always been there, they are the first people, the first affection, we have ever met. It is our oldest relationship with them.
    While it is the normal order of things for a parent to die before us, when we lose them as adults – whether suddenly or after a long illness – we are often surprised by the depth of our upset, the sense of uprooting and suspension, of the depth and complexity of the emotions that cross us in front of this loss. The feelings that are experienced are many and often contradictory and occur when we least expect it, creating confusion and stress. These reactions, these emotions often end up being buried under the weight of the commitments and activities that an adult has to face, under the routine of everyday life while it would be advisable to give them space and expression. As you did by sharing with us the pride of his memory.

RECIPIENT OF THE 2024 "MOST COMPREHENSIVE LIFE & CULTURE MULTIMEDIA DIGEST" AWARD

WE ARE NOW FEATURED ON

EXPLORE 360° NATION

ENJOY OUR FREE EVENTS

OUR COMMUNITIES